Joel Tabiner believes the emergence of a number of academy graduates has underlined Crewe Alexandra’s ability to produce homegrown players.

The 19-year-old is one of five first-year professionals who played a substantial role in the side’s strong finish to the season.

Connor O’Riordan, Charlie Finney, Zac Williams, and Tom Booth, all came through the same age group as Tabiner.

And they impressed when playing together in the home wins over Swindon and Bradford.

Tabiner said: “A couple of times in the last few games we had four players from my age group in the starting line-up - that doesn’t happen anywhere else. It just shows how good we are at producing players.”

The midfielder, who now has 39 appearances under his belt, added: “To be playing games at my age is all I wanted, my target last season was to break into the first team. I’m happy I’ve got my first two goals as well.

“At the start, I struggled playing on a Saturday and then again on a Tuesday. But I think I’ve been eased into it well, and by the end I was able to play every game - and felt comfortable doing it.”