All the ins & outs from this summer’s window
Crewe Alex have had a busy summer in the transfer market, bringing in EIGHT new faces whilst ELEVEN players departed the Club permanently since the 2016/17 campaign ended in May.
The general feeling amongst supporters is a positive one after plenty of movement off the field, with Manager Dave Artell moving in quickly to bring three experienced campaigners before the end of May.
Turning JORDAN BOWERY’s loan move from last season into a permanent one became the first piece of business done, with the former Leyton Orient striker being released from his contract at Brisbane Road in order to move to Cheshire.
That was swiftly followed by experienced Carlisle defender MICHAEL RAYNES turning down a fresh contract with his former Club, with CHRIS PORTER doing the same before the month’s end when deciding to leave Colchester in favour of a move to Alex.
Letting the land lie during the month of June, Artell was back on the recruitment drive in early July, securing two signings in two days in the form of the experience EDDIE NOLAN & promise of BRAD WALKER.
29-year-oldNolan joined on a free having been released by Blackpool earlier in the summer & Crewe paid an undisclosed fee to Hartlepool United to acquire the services of Walker.
That was that for incomings until the season started, with Artell bolstering the goalkeeping department earlier in August with the signing on out-of-contract son of Jussi, WILL JASSKELAINEN.
The final foray into the market came over the final days before the window slammed shut, the boss entering the loan market for the first time to bring in SAM STUBBS from Wigan and CONOR GRANT from Everton.
In terms of outgoings, BILLY BINGHAM & BEN NUGENT were both released following the climax of the campaign, and they have both since signed for Gillingham.
Others to be released have found new Clubs also, with CALLUM SAUNDERS joining Notts County, HARRY DAVIS re-signing for St Mirren after his loan & DANNY HOLLANDS moving to Eastleigh.
Dave Artell had hoped to keep OLLIE TURTON & JON GUTHRIE by offering the pair new deals, but they opted to move to League One to sign for Blackpool and Walsall respectively.
CALLUM COOKE & ALEX KIWOMYA returned to their parent clubs after long-term loans last season, whilst back-up options MARCUS POSCHA & goalkeeper ANDY DAWBER were also released.
What have your thoughts been on the summer business? Join the discussion on social media now using #CreweAlex on Twitter, or by commenting on the Crewe Alexandra Official Facebook page.