David Artell believes that his Crewe Alexandra side would have ‘completed the job’ in the remaining nine matches of the season and that no-one can begrudge the club promotion. The EFL confirmed our promotion to League One yesterday after clubs voted to formally end the campaigns in the two lower divisions. The league standings were decided on the points per game basis which meant Crewe dropped to second place due to Swindon Town having a game in hand.

Artell felt his side would have done the business on the pitch and would have won promotion and felt a tinge of disappointment that Crewe have been denied the chance of lifting their first ever title – but he accepts that the seriousness Covid-19 and the impact on the health of the nation puts football into perspective.

A delighted Artell told crewealex.net: “I think we deserve to be promoted. I don’t think anyone can say that we didn’t deserve it because we have been consistent all season and up there for the majority of it. We set out to win promotion and are delighted that it has now been confirmed that we have done that.

“There is a tinge of disappointment because we would have liked to have finished top. That was the aim at the start of the season but in the difficult circumstances we will take it, of course we will. It is not the way anyone wanted it to go and tough decisions have had to be made. The EFL were never going to please everyone but the greater good of football is the most important thing.

“We have to make sure that the football pyramid stays strong and that we don’t lose clubs through them going bust. You have to admire the clubs that voted for the season to end when they still had a chance of winning automatic promotion or reaching the play-off. They understand the serious issue of the finances and safeguarding the future of clubs.”