James Collins says new recruits from the Academy may surprise a few.

Having previously worked closely with our new first year professionals throughout the Academy system, coach James Collins knows that our new introductions into the first-team squad will be aiming to impress during pre-season.

Youngsters Joe Kearns, Liam O’Neill, Toby Mullarkey, Andre Brown and Joe Howell have been virtually ever present at the club’s Reaseheath training complex ever since the season ended. They are working hard on developing their physique in readiness for the new season and are giving themselves the best chance of stepping up to the higher level.

Collins admits that it is always an interesting and exciting time for their development and that one or two may come through to surprise the management this season, very similarly to James Jones and James Baillie last time around.

The club’s first-team coach told the club’s official web-site: “It is an exciting part of the job for any coach to see those boys progress into the first team squad. It becomes a sink or swim scenario if you like but there are sometimes those who come through and surprise you.

“I don’t think anyone would have predicted that Bails and Jonah would come in and play the number of games they did last season.

“It is always interesting to come back into pre-season and see who is really flying. Sometimes there are ones who just sneak through and get a professional contract and they are the ones who really flourish. 

James added: “It is an exciting time for everyone and those boys making that step up know that being at Crewe means they will get an opportunity. Knowing those boys like I do they will be chomping at the bit to get going.”