Goalkeeping coach to stay with us until the end of the campaign

The former Walsall, Darlington and Peterborough goalkeeper Fred Barber will continue to work with the club’s number one Ben Garratt and the other goalkeepers at the club until the end of the season.

With the club allowing back-up goalkeeper and coach Scott Shearer to move to Burton Albion on loan until the end of the season during this transfer window, Crewe have been searching for a replacement goalkeeper and part-time coach.

The vastly experienced Barber, 51, will fill the coaching side of the problem with Joe Anyon currently on non-contract terms as Garratt’s understudy. The club are also assessing the credentials of a potential goalkeeper from Derby County but boss Steve Davis is looking to avoid taking another player on loan, as he already has five.

Barber, who has also worked as a goalkeeping coach with Bolton, West Brom and the Northern Ireland national set-up will work with the goalkeepers on a part-time basis and will undertake matchday duties with the first-team.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “We have had a conversation with Fred and he will be with us until the end of the season. He will work with Ben and the other goalkeepers at the club on a part-time basis.

“He will also be with us on matchdays and will do the specific work with Ben. “