Steve Davis praises the contribution made over the last 30 years by Dario

After fielding a starting eleven made up totally of home grown players against Walsall, manager Steve Davis praised the contribution over the last 30 years of the club’s Director of Football Dario Gradi in producing so many young players.

Dario was at the Alexandra Stadium to witness such a momentous occasion for the club and Davis was full of praise for his former manager.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Dario will be immensely proud and he deserved all of the praise because he has been a huge part of developing this club as such a well-respected Academy.

“It was his vision early on that helped developed so many players. He was a major part of what we achieved on Saturday and will be very proud of the fact.

“We had the under-8s on the pitch and he will be out there watching their development very closely, seeing who is the next Nick Powell and the next £1 million player. He never switches off and as long as he here, Crewe will be a great club.”