Lee Bell returns to club in full-time coaching role as club re-organise staff to comply with EPPP.

As part of the club’s long-term strategy in the recruitment and development of young players over all age groups, Crewe Alexandra has realigned the responsibilities of a number of our backroom staff.

The experienced Neil Baker assumes a new key role as Head of Recruitment and will coordinate the club’s scouting network and liaison with other clubs. He will also work closely with the club’s leading analyst Charlie Ager in the targeting of potential players and tactics. 

James Collins, a former professional footballer with the club and long standing Academy Coach, will provide greater assistance to manager Steve Davis as his first-team coach. Collins, 37, holds the UEFA A Licence coaching award and was one of only 16 coaches in 2013 to graduate with the Football Associations FA Elite Coaches Award.

  Alex Morris will succeed Collins as manager of the Under-21 Development squad following his successful work with last season’s Under-18 squad. The former Crewe Alexandra captain Kenny Lunt will now be in charge of charge of the Youth Team after assisting Morris last season.

The club’s former midfield player Lee Bell, who helped us win promotion to League One in 2012, has subsequently joined the club on a full-time basis to fulfil a coaching role alongside Lunt as part of the Elite Player Performance Plan.