Crewe Alexandra youngster Owen Dale is just about old enough to remember the great impact Luke Varney had with us. Varney scored 35 goals for the Alex over four seasons, including 25 in 42 appearances during his final season with us before Charlton Athletic paid £2 million to take him to the Valley.

Varney, now 36 when on to enjoy a great career with a host of Championship and Premier League clubs and the former Quron FC man is still going strong at Cheltenham.

The Leicester-born striker hit 14 goals last season, including one at Gresty Road back in March and he has already notched 3 this season despite being sent-off on the opening day of the season against Leyton Orient.

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Whaddon Road, Dale said: “We know all about Luke (Varney) and what a threat he is. He scored against us last season and he has played at the very highest level so we know he is one we have to watch.

“Cheltenham are going well, like us, so it should be a good game. It is a small, tight pitch and the fans are on you but we have to go there and play our football.

“If we all do our jobs to the level we have been then I’m sure we will be fine.”