Lee Bell acknowledges that only hard work and dedication will make him a success as Crewe Alexandra manager.

The boss, who has been part of the club as a player and a coach for more than two decades, says being trusted to take over the hot seat is a huge honour.

But he understands his long association with the club will count for little if the team is not winning enough games.

Bell said: “It’s a really proud moment for me and my family, I’m very honoured.

“Having a knowledge of what the club wants and expects can only help, and we have an alignment in terms of how we want to play and bring through younger players.

“But I’m well aware having a long association with a club doesn’t get you three points on a Saturday. It will come down to hard work and dedication every day, and I’ll do everything I can to make this a success.”

Bell, who joined at 12 and made 148 appearances in two spells with the club, has fulfilled several coaching roles at Crewe, including Under-18s Manager and Assistant Manager.

He was appointed Manager last week, after a recruitment process to find a replacement for Alex Morris, who stepped down due to compassionate reasons in early November and is now Bell’s assistant.

He added: “I always wanted to be a manager and felt I could do it, and being Manager of Crewe Alexandra is something I wanted to do.

“It’s bittersweet due to the way it has come around, but I am delighted.”