Steve admits it was tough to allow Leitch-Smith leave

Steve Davis believes that our former Academy graduate AJ Leitch-Smith needed a fresh challenge to get his career going again. Leitch-Smith left Gresty Road in the summer to join Yeovil Town and he has been able to establish himself in Gary Johnson’s side, scoring his first goal for the club in a fantastic 3-1 win at Bradford City.

Leitch-Smith was limited to just two goals in his 24 appearances for Crewe during his final season with the club and Davis believes that the 24-year-old striker needed a new environment to get his career going again.

Steve told crewealex.net: “It is always a tough decision to let players go, especially when they are players who have been good servants to the club and are local lads.

“AJ was a really good lad and I enjoyed working with him. He was excellent for us the season we were promoted and he has always had great potential.

“I just felt that he had found the step up into League One a bit of challenge to score goals on a regular basis. That is not to say I don’t think he can score goals at this level because he can.

“I just felt he needed a change and I’m sure he felt the same as well. He is still young and has a lot of potential and he can still improve.

He added: “Gary has continued to pick him and he scored a great goal at Bradford. Everyone here wishes AJ well there but I hope he has a quiet game.”