The club’s Under-15s successfully won the EFL Floodlit Cup after defeating Bristol City 3-1 at Ashton Gate on Sunday thanks to goals from Alex Higgins, Joel Tabiner and Connor O’Riordan and first team manager David Artell says the overall experience of the competition only helps with the development of the young players.

The Crewe boss said: “The young boys do not really get to play in a knockout cup competition until the Youth Cup and that becomes a big thing for them. Then the next knockout cup they could be involved in is the first round of the FA Cup with the first-team.

“They are not exposed to knockout cup competitions, so it was great to enter this competition and for them to gain some valuable experience playing at stadiums. It is all part of their development to play Coventry, Shrewsbury and Burton home and away and then having to win on penalties at Sheffield Wednesday and then play a final at Ashton Gate.

“It is a terrific experience for all of them and whatever happens it is sure to live long in the memory. If they can continue to progress on the pathway to a career in the game then they can call on that. “