Dave Artell on his role within the Academy structure.
The former Crewe Alexandra captain David Artell says his administration role within the club’s renowned Academy is one he enjoys because of the diversity within the position. Artell, who skippered the side to promotion through the 2012 play-offs, is now the club’s Academy Operations Manager, an important role that makes sure Crewe Alexandra comply with the requirements of the Elite Player Performance Plan following its introduction in 2011.
Artell deals with many aspects of the Academy structure from coaching through to the education of the scholars.
He told the club’s official web-site: “It is an enjoyable job and very different. You generally have an idea as a senior player what goes on in the game but I am dealing with things that I never thought I would have to deal with in this role. It is very challenging but also very satisfying because of the club I work for.
“All I can is to make sure that I do my job the best I can and work hard. That part of it is similar to my time as a player. You have always got to strive and improve and that is what this club is all about.
“We don’t rest on our laurels here. We know that our job is to produce footballers that are good enough to play in our first team and then hopefully for some of them higher than that. That is how we survive and the fans understand that.
“We also know that players don’t just walk off the streets and through our gates. You have to work hard at it and we do. It is tough because the elite clubs are throwing huge nets over the pool of talent, hoping that one will come through and make it. We don’t have the same scouting network as they do, so we have to think differently and do what we are good at.
“We invest time in our players and the ones at our Academy know that we work all day every day for their benefit, to make them better players and make sure they reach their potential. That is how it works.
“Our reputation as an Academy is second to none but we still work tremendously hard to make sure we find and nurture those players. We are always aiming to improve throughout the club.”