Crewe Alexandra F.C.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club was formed in 1877 as an offshoot of Crewe Alexandra Cricket Club (established in September 1866 by Thomas Abraham{{efn|Abraham also supported the formation of the Cheshire Football Association in 1878, being appointed secretary, and was an umpire in the first Lancashire Senior Cup final, held at Darwen in 1880. He refereed the first Liverpool Senior Cup final, also in 1880, and travelled extensively to umpire Crewe Alexandra's matches. He also made a significant contribution to amateur athletics, helping organise annual events at the cricket club's ground in Earle Street, as well as becoming a long-standing official of the Northern Counties Athletic Association and the Amateur Athletic Association.}} and other workers at Crewe locomotive works),{{cite news |last1=Sandhu |first1=Nathan |title=Retail hotspot was once home of the Crewe Alexandra Cricket Club |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/crewe-south-cheshire-news/retail-hotspot-once-home-crewe-10249259 |access-date=16 February 2021 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=14 October 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Peter |title=Crewe cricket club is planning a big 150th birthday bash |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/cricket/crewe-cricket-club-planning-big-11830747 |access-date=16 February 2021 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=1 September 2016}}{{efn|Crisp notes 1950s newspaper correspondence suggesting the formation of a football club was proposed by cricketer A.N. Hornby, who also played professional football, and who elicited the support of 'Thomas Abrams' (presumably Thomas Abraham) and John O'Brien Tandy.Crisp, p.6.}} and named after Princess Alexandra."1877 – A Football Club is formed in Crewe, as a separate organisation from the successful Crewe Cricket Club. They take the name 'Alexandra' after Princess Alexandra": from [http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/potted-history-255195.aspx the club's official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105125308/http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/potted-history-255195.aspx |date=5 November 2013 }}Seddon, Peter (2004), Football Talk: The language and folklore of the world's greatest game, Chrysalis Books, London ({{ISBN|1-86105-683-4}}), p.174. They were based at the Alexandra Recreation Ground in Crewe, adjacent to Crewe railway station, and played their first match against a side from Basford in North Staffordshire on 1 December 1877, drawing 1–1.{{cite book |last1=Dyer |first1=Liam |last2=Day |first2=Dave |title=The Industrial Middle Class and the Development of Sport in a Railway Town |publisher=Manchester Metropolitan University |url=https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/618860/1/The%20Industrial%20Middle%20Class%20and%20the%20Development%20of%20Sport%20in%20a%20Railway%20Town.pdf |access-date=16 February 2021}} In 1883, Crewe Alexandra's first match in the FA Cup was against Scottish club Queen's Park of Glasgow, losing 10–0.{{cite news|title=English Challenge Cup. Queen's Park (Glasgow) v. Crewe|url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18831008/056/0004|access-date=5 February 2015|work=Sheffield Daily Telegraph|date=8 October 1883|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} In February 1886, William Bell became the first Crewe player to win an international cap, playing for Wales against Ireland in Wrexham.{{cite web |title=Wales vs Ireland international football match report |url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=4359 |website=EU Football.Info |access-date=28 March 2021}} In 1887–88, the club reached the FA Cup semi-finals, defeating Swifts,Crisp, p.7.{{efn|Crewe drew 2–2, and lost the replay 3–2, but successfully appealed against the result in respect of the size of the Swifts' goals (the crossbars were too low). Crewe won the replay played at a neutral ground, Derby County's Baseball Ground, 2–1.Crisp, pp.7, 18.}} Derby County and Middlesbrough en route, before going out to Preston North End. In 1891, the football club split away from the cricket club—a step that was condemned by Francis Webb, chief engineer of the town's London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Crewe works, who was virulently opposed to professionalism in sport;Redfern, Allan (1983) "Crewe: Leisure in a railway town" in Walton, John K., and Walvin, James, Leisure in Britain, 1780-1939, Manchester University Press, Manchester, pp.117-136. ISBN 0-7190-0912-X. following the schism, Webb and the LNWR said the company would "refuse to find employment in the Crewe Works for any professional football player". Consequently, "the football section of the Alexandra Club owed little to the LNWR..., despite the teams being closely linked to the local railway industry"{{cite web |last1=Kural |first1=Tom |title=Listen, it's time to bring back the wheel! |url=https://therailwaymenreview.wordpress.com/2022/09/07/listen-its-time-to-bring-back-the-wheel/ |website=Railwaymen Review |date=7 September 2022 |access-date=7 September 2022}}, quoting Morris's Vain Games of No Value? A Social History of Association Football in Britain during its First Century. (though one of Webb's successors as LNWR's chief engineer, Charles Bowen Cooke, was "less intractable" and "was President of Crewe Alexandra Football Club and the professional athletics meetings it organised").

On 5 March 1892, John Pearson became the first Crewe player to win an England cap, playing against Ireland in Belfast; he remains the only Crewe player capped for the full England side while playing for the club.{{cite web |title=John Hargreaves "Jackie" Pearson |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=16215 |website=EU Football.Info |access-date=28 March 2021}}

File:Alexandra Football Ground location 1911.pngCrewe secretary J.G. Hall helped found the unsuccessful Combination (launched at Crewe's Royal Hotel in early 1889) and then the Football Alliance (1889–1892).{{cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Paul |title=The Football Alliance: Teams Who Didn't Make the League |url=https://the1888letter.com/the-football-alliance-teams-who-didnt-make-the-league/ |access-date=30 November 2021 |work=THE 1888 LETTER: Football Then And Now |date=4 April 2020}} When the latter merged with the Football League, Crewe were a founding member of the Football League Second Division in 1892, but lost their league status in 1896 after only four seasons—finishing third from bottom, fourth from bottom, then bottom twice—possibly due to a player budget that was a quarter of that of other clubs.Crisp, pp. 7–8 The club left the Alexandra Recreation Ground shortly before the end of the 1895–96 season, and after playing at a number of different venues, including in nearby Sandbach, they moved to the first Gresty Road ground in 1897 (in 1906, the club's current ground adjacent to Gresty Road was constructed to the west of its previous site).Paul Smith & Shirley Smith (2005) The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005, Yore Publications, p62, {{ISBN|0-9547830-4-2}} Incorporated as a limited company on 29 May 1899,[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00062367/filing-history?page=5 Filed 01 Jan 1995: A selection of documents registered before 1 January 1995, including Memorandum of Association of the Crewe Alexandra Football Club Company Limited, signed 29 May 1899]. Companies House. Retrieved: 22 September 2021{{efn|The first Articles of Association lists seven directors, three of whom were railway clerks (as was the first company secretary), plus a tailor, grocer, painter and foreman.}} Crewe spent two further seasons in the second incarnation of the Combination from 1896 followed by three seasons in the Lancashire League, before competing in the Birmingham & District League for ten years. They also won the Cheshire Senior Challenge Cup in 1907 and 1910. The team spent the 1910s in the Central League, finishing second in 1913–14 and 1920–21.Crisp, p.8.

File:CreweAlexandraFC League Performance.svg

Crewe rejoined the Football League in 1921; they finished 6th in their first two seasons in the Third Division North but did not finish as high again until 1931–32 and 1935–36.Crisp, p.8, p.58, p62. In October 1932, defender Fred Keenor's last Wales appearance marked Crewe's first international cap of the 20th century.{{cite web |title=Fred Keenor |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=10362 |website=EU Football.Info |access-date=28 March 2021}} Crewe's first major honours were Welsh Cup wins in 1936 and 1937; Crewe is not in Wales but English clubs, usually from border areas, participated by invitation. In 1936, Bert Swindells scored his 100th League goal for Crewe,Crisp, pp.62–63. going on to score 128 League goals for the club,Crisp, p.12. a record that still stands,{{cite web|title=Potted History|url=http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/potted-history-255195.aspx|website=Crewe Alexandra|access-date=12 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105125308/http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/potted-history-255195.aspx|archive-date=5 November 2013|df=dmy-all}} as well as goals in both Welsh Cup finals.Morris, p.99.

From the 1950s to the early 1980s, Crewe enjoyed only occasional success. Looking over Gresty Road, Michael Palin, in the 1980 BBC Great Railway Journeys of the World series, described Crewe as "like those other railway towns, Swindon and Doncaster, possessed of a football team which is perpetually propping up the bottom of the Fourth Division".{{cite news |last1=Fearon |first1=Matthew |title=Dream Teams: Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/dream-teams-crewe-alexandra-1679411.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707124016/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/dream-teams-crewe-alexandra-1679411.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=Independent |date=18 August 2012 }} Between 1894 and 1982, Crewe finished last in the Football League eight times, more than any other league club.Crisp, pp.25–26, 130–137. On 25 December 1954, Crewe embarked on a sequence where they did not win away from home for 56 matches; the run ended with a 1–0 win at Southport on 24 April 1957.Crisp, pp.86–89. Crewe finished bottom of Division Three North three times in a row from 1955–56 to 1957–58, tallying just 28, 21 and 23 points from 46 games in each respective season.Crisp, pp.133–134. The club was placed into the newly formed Fourth Division in 1958–59.Crisp, p.90.

All-time records were set against First Division Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round in 1960. A new record Gresty Road attendance of 20,000 saw Crewe hold Spurs to a 2–2 draw on 30 January.Crisp, pp.9, 91. On 3 February, Tottenham convincingly won the replay 13–2, Crewe's record defeat.Crisp, pp.9, 12, 91. The following year, however, Jimmy McGuigan's Crewe side defeated another First Division club, Chelsea, 2–1 in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on 7 January 1961. Chelsea's side included former Crewe player Frank Blunstone—who scored Chelsea's goal—as well as England internationals Peter Bonetti, Jimmy Greaves and Terry Venables.{{cite web |title=Match detail: Chelsea v Crewe Alexandra |url=http://www.stamford-bridge.com/match.php?mid=2380&opp=Crewe%20Alexandra |website=Stamford-Bridge.com: The history of Chelsea F.C. |access-date=21 March 2021}} Crewe were then again drawn against the eventual double-winning Spurs side, who won 5–1 in the fourth round at White Hart Lane.{{cite web |last1=Holmes |first1=Logan |title=Tottenham On This Day: Spurs Put Five Past Crewe In FA Cup |url=https://hotspurhq.com/2014/01/28/tottenham-day-spurs-put-five-past-crewe-fa-cup/ |website=Hotspur HQ |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415015410/https://hotspurhq.com/2014/01/28/tottenham-day-spurs-put-five-past-crewe-fa-cup/ |url-status=dead }}

In 1963, Crewe secured their first promotion to the Third Division, winning the season's final game against Exeter City, with Frank Lord scoring the only goal in front of a crowd of 9,807 at Gresty Road. Lord holds the record for most hat-tricks for the club with eight,{{cite book|first=Andy|last=Riddle|title=Plymouth Argyle: 101 Golden Greats|year=2001|publisher=Desert Island Books|location=Westcliff-on-Sea|isbn=1-874287-47-3|pages=105–106}} and he scored a then record 33 goals that season, forming a strong partnership with Johnny King (17 goals).Morris, p.122. The club finished in third place, behind champions Brentford and Oldham Athletic, but were relegated back to Division Four the following season. In the 1964–65 season, Terry Harkin set a new record of 34 league goals for Crewe.{{ENFA}} Managed by Ernie Tagg, the club achieved promotion for a second time in 1967–68, but again spent just one season in the Third Division.Crisp, pp.99–100.

From 1969, Crewe spent 20 years in Division Four, finishing bottom in 1971–72, 1978–79 and 1981–82, and not achieving a top half finish until 1985.Crisp, pp.135–136. In 1974, they came within two minutes of taking Aston Villa into extra time in a League Cup third round replay at Villa Park. In 1977, Tommy Lowry played his record-setting 475th and last game for the Railwaymen; he had earlier passed Peter Leigh's total of 430 appearances between 1960 and 1972. From February to September 1979, the club went a record 16 matches (15 league, one League Cup tie) without winning at Gresty Road.Crisp, pp.110–111. In December 1979, manager Tony Waddington signed the goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar who kept eight clean-sheets in his 24 matches played,Crisp, p.111. and, on 5 May 1980, scored a penalty—his only professional goal—to seal a 2–0 victory over York City.{{cite news |last1=Hackett |first1=Robin |title=Bruce Grobbelaar: Tears of a clown |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1077154/the-mavericks:-bruce-grobbelaar |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=ESPN |date=23 May 2012 |archive-date=7 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221744/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1077154/the-mavericks:-bruce-grobbelaar |url-status=dead }}

File:Gradi, Dario.jpg

In June 1983, after Crewe finished second from bottom at the end of the 1982–83 season, the then club chairman Norman Rowlinson appointed Milan-born Dario Gradi as manager.{{cite news |title=Alex saviour Rowlinson loses battle |url=http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewealexandra/news/tm_headline%3Dalex-saviour-rowlinson-loses-battle-%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D17609844%26siteid%3D50020-name_page.html |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=23 August 2006 |archive-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714092446/http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewealexandra/news/tm_headline=alex-saviour-rowlinson-loses-battle-&method=full&objectid=17609844&siteid=50020-name_page.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}Hornbrook, p.11. Gradi looked to build an academy structure to develop players that could be sold to help fund the player development programme.Hornbrook, p.14. Among his early transfer successes were Geoff Thomas and John Pemberton (both signed from Rochdale and sold to Crystal Palace, in 1987 and 1988 respectively),{{cite news|last1=McGarry|first1=Graham|title=Dario Gradi – Crewe's longest serving manager|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2009/07/02/dario_tribute_feature.shtml|access-date=30 March 2017|work=BBC Radio Stoke|date=2 July 2009}}{{cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=Geoff|title=Riding Through The Storm: My Fight Back to Fitness on the Tour de France|date=2008|publisher=Hachette|location=London}} and former Manchester United apprentice David Platt, signed in 1985 and sold to Aston Villa for £200,000 in February 1988.Hornbrook, p.38.

Under Gradi, and despite some Crewe fans' initial reservations,Crisp, p.9 Crewe played attractive, technical football and gained a reputation for developing young talent. Steve Walters became Crewe's youngest player, aged just 16 years and 119 days when he played against Peterborough United on 7 May 1988.Crisp, p.119. In 1989, Crewe won their third promotion, a 1–1 draw at Tranmere Rovers enough to take both teams into the Third Division.Hornbrook, pp.47–48. Meanwhile, on 7 January 1989, Crewe had hosted Aston Villa—and Platt—at Gresty Road in the FA Cup third round, taking a 2–0 lead before the visitors rallied to secure a 3–2 win,Crisp, p.120.Hornbrook, pp.46. with Platt netting the winner but refusing to celebrate against his former club.Morris, p.233. A year later, on 6 January 1990, Crewe were again drawn away at Chelsea in the third round; Walters gave Crewe a first-half lead at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea equalised in the 82nd minute to force a replay which they won 2–0.Crisp, p.121.Hornbrook, pp.51–52. In March 1990, Crewe defender Paul Edwards was sold to Coventry City for £350,000;{{cite web |title=Members News: Its Xmas! But Congrats To Former Sky Blue Paul Edwards Whose Birthday It Is! |url=http://www.ccfpa.co.uk/?p=38320 |website=Coventry City Former Players Association |access-date=20 August 2021}} he was later named in the 1989-1990 Third Division PFA Team of the Year,{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=148}} Crewe's first player to feature in the awards.

Crewe were relegated in 1991. However, despite further player sales―defender Rob Jones joined Liverpool for £300,000,{{cite web |title=Transfers to or from Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.lfchistory.net/Transfers/ByClub/134 |website=LFC History |access-date=22 March 2021}} then Craig Hignett was sold for a club record £500,000 to MiddlesbroughHornbrook, p.75.―the club reached the 1993 Third Division play-off final but lost against York City at Wembley.Crisp, pp.10, 124. Crewe then gained promotion in 1994 after a final day victory at Chester City.Crisp, p.125.Hornbrook, p.86. In the same year, Neil Lennon became the first Crewe player to win an international cap since Fred Keenor in 1932 when he was selected to play for Northern Ireland against Mexico.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2008/01/11/sport_crewe_alexandra_feature.shtml |title=Crewe Alexandra |work=BBC Leeds |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=21 November 2013 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925070000/http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2008/01/11/sport_crewe_alexandra_feature.shtml |url-status=live }} Crewe twice lost in play-off semi-finals, to Bristol Rovers in 1995Hornbrook, pp.98. and Notts County in 1996,Hornbrook, pp.105.Crisp, pp.126, 127. then returned to Wembley in the 1997 Division Two play-off final, securing a 1–0 victory over Brentford to put the club back in the second tier for the first time since 1896.Crisp, pp.10, 128.

Crewe achieved their highest finishing position, 11th, in the 1997–98 First Division season. Gradi kept his team in the division until 2002, despite a matchday income on which many more lowly clubs could not survive. Boosting the finances, notable player sales included Lennon (to Leicester City for £750,000),{{cite news |title=Newcastle on the verge of signing Batty |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/newcastle-on-the-verge-of-signing-batty-1320624.html |work=The Independent |date=23 February 1996 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610194628/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/newcastle-on-the-verge-of-signing-batty-1320624.html |url-status=live }} Danny Murphy (to Liverpool for an initial fee of £1.5m), and Seth Johnson (to Derby County for £3m).{{cite news |last1=Burnton |first1=Simon |title=The forgotten story of ... Seth Johnson in an England shirt |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/feb/28/seth-johnson-england |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=28 February 2012}} Gradi celebrated his 1,000th game in charge of Crewe on 20 November 2001.{{cite news |title=Gradi's landmark |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/1665802.stm |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2001}}

After one season in the Division Two the team were promoted back to Division One at the end of the 2002–03 season,{{cite web|title=Crewe Alexandra 2002/03|url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/crewe-alexandra/2002-2003/results|website=Statto|access-date=14 June 2014|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216141615/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/crewe-alexandra/2002-2003/results|url-status=dead}} having finished in second place—Crewe's first runner-up position—with Rob Hulse scoring 22 league goals, and being named in the PFA Team of the Year,{{cite news |last1=McKechnie |first1=David |title=Henry lands PFA award |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/28/newsstory.premierleague200203 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=28 April 2003}} ahead of a £750,000 transfer to West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news |title=Baggies bag duo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/3055657.stm |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 July 2003}} Crewe retained their Division One place in the 2003–04 season, during which assistant manager Neil Baker took temporary charge between 22 September and 17 October 2003 while Gradi underwent heart surgery.{{cite news |title=Gradi undergoes heart surgery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/23/newsstory.sport8 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Guardian |agency=PA |date=23 September 2003}} At the start of the 2004–05 season, Crewe were rated one of the teams most likely to be relegated from the newly renamed 'Championship'. In the event, they put in a good showing in the first half of the season, but after selling Dean Ashton to Norwich City for £3 million in the January 2005 transfer window,{{cite web |title=Dean Ashton |url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/ashton.htm |website=Flown from the Nest |access-date=22 March 2021}} Crewe failed to win until the final match of the season, when they defeated Coventry City 2–1 to avoid relegation on goal difference. However, they were relegated to League One (level three) the following season. Nonetheless, Crewe were named the "Most Admired Club" in the 2006 Football League Awards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.crewealex.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~798054,00.html |title=Crewe Alexandra {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Crewe Delighted With Award |date=6 March 2006 |website=www.crewealex.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com |access-date=4 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405032821/http://www.crewealex.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~798054,00.html |archive-date=5 April 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

By the summer of 2007, Gradi was the longest-serving manager in English league football, having completed 24 years in sole charge of the club. Crewe announced that, from 1 July 2007, Gradi would take up a new role as the club's technical director while gradually allowing newly appointed first-team coach Steve Holland control of the team.{{cite news |last1=Rostance |first1=Tom |title=Gradi gets new role after 24 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/21/newsstory.crewe |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=21 April 2007}} Holland's first season was a disappointment as the club narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 20th with 50 points.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406153716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/table/default.stm|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/table/default.stm|title=Coca-Cola Football League One: Table|work=BBC News|archive-date=6 April 2008|access-date=10 June 2013}} Ahead of his second season, he spent half a million pounds on new signings, while striker Nicky Maynard joined Bristol City for £2.25 million.{{cite news |title=Bristol City clinch Maynard deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7533626.stm |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2008}} However, despite a positive pre-season, Crewe took only nine points from their first 16 games. The board sacked Holland as first team coach in November 2008, and re-appointed Gradi as caretaker manager.{{cite news |title=Crewe Alexandra sack manager Steve Holland |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/crewe-alexandra-sack-manager-steve-holland-w8gvz8vk2xn |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Times |date=18 November 2008}}

On 24 December 2008, former Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson was appointed as Holland's successor.{{cite news |title=Thordarson confirmed as new Crewe manager |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/24/crewealexandra |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=24 December 2008}} He made a promising start, and received the February 2009 Manager of the Month award (the first Crewe manager to win the award),{{Cite news|date=6 March 2009|title=Thordarson pays tribute to squad|work=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/7928449.stm|access-date=18 May 2009}} but the team suffered a poor end-of-season run, not winning for 10 games, and were relegated to League Two. On 2 October 2009, after nine months in charge and another poor run of results, Thordarson was sacked,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8286658.stm Thordarson sacked as Crewe boss] BBC Sport; 2 October 2009 and Gradi was reinstated as caretaker manager. Despite lingering close to the playoff places for the majority of the season, another run of poor form saw the club finish 18th. Crewe improved to 10th in the 2010–11 season, during which Gradi won the January 2011 Manager of the Month.{{cite web |title=Manager of the Month 2010-2011 |url=https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/manager-of-the-month/league-two/?season=2010 |website=League Managers Association |access-date=3 November 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103113556/https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/manager-of-the-month/league-two/?season=2010 |url-status=dead }} In November 2011, Gradi finally stepped down as manager and returned to his previous role as director of football focusing on youth development.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15675372.stm Dario Gradi steps down as Crewe Alexandra manager] BBC Sport; 10 October 2011

Steve Davis was appointed manager in the same month.{{cite web|url=http://www.crewealex.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~2511452,00.html/|title=Davis To Take Over As First Team Manager|date=10 November 2011|publisher=Crewe Alexandra F.C|access-date=10 November 2011}} Previously manager of nearby Nantwich Town, Davis had been appointed assistant manager in June 2009, replacing former assistant Neil Baker.{{cite web|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-alex-fc/crewe-alex-fc-news/2009/06/17/steve-davis-will-start-work-at-crewe-alex-on-monday-96135-23904635/|title=Davis Becomes Alex Assistant|date=17 June 2009|newspaper=Crewe Chronicle|access-date=16 June 2009}} Davis immediately led the team to a 16-match unbeaten run in early 2012 up to 7th position, earning the club a play-off place.Alex secure play-offs spot, [http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide3/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer_league_1_and_2/12/05/05/manual_183552.html&TEAMHD=nationwide3&BID=422 Sporting Life]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (retrieved: 6 May 2012) Crewe defeated Southend United in the two-legged semi-final, extending the unbeaten run to a club record 18 matches{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18109180 | work=BBC News | title=Go and finish the job, says Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis. | date=17 May 2012}} and securing a play-off final against Cheltenham Town at Wembley on 27 May 2012 which they won 2–0; the goalscorers were academy graduates Nick Powell and Byron Moore.{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A291072517/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=28b2b9e1 | via = Gale | access-date = 3 February 2021 | title = League Two play-off final: Powell serves notice of rare talent to earn Crewe play-off glory: Cheltenham T 0 Crewe Alexandra | first = John | last = Ashdown | date = 28 May 2012 | work = The Guardian | page = 5 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 4 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210204212740/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA291072517&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=28b2b9e1 | url-status = live }}{{Cite web | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A291069735/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=b6547116 | via = Gale | access-date = 3 February 2021 | title = Crewe get a parting gift from Powell | first = Jon | last = West | date = 28 May 2021 | work = The Times | page = 9 | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 4 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210204212709/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA291069735&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=b6547116 | url-status = live }}

Before the 2012–13 season, Crewe sold Powell to Manchester United, and on transfer deadline day captain Ashley Westwood joined Aston Villa. However, with new academy players coming into the first team, Crewe returned to Wembley to win the Football League Trophy, beating Southend United 2–0 in the final in April 2013.{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Chris|title=Crewe 2 – Southend 0|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21986344|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 April 2013}} In the league, Crewe finished in mid-table; they ended the season by fielding a team whose starting line-up were all Crewe Academy graduates.{{cite news|title=Crewe 2–0 Walsall|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22229034|access-date=29 April 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=27 April 2013}}{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Ged|title=Crewe Alexandra: Dario Gradi's academy dream set to come true|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22278754|access-date=29 April 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=24 April 2013}}

File:John Bowler (in 2000).png.]]

In March 2014, John Bowler, Crewe chairman since 1988,{{efn|Different sources give varying dates (some suggest 1987), however records at Companies House show Rowlinson was chairman in May 1988; Bowler had become chairman by the time the following years accounts were signed in May 1989.}} was honoured with the Contribution to League Football Award at The Football League Awards.{{cite web|title=John Bowler honoured with Contribution to League Football Award|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20140316/john-bowler-honoured-with-contribution-to-league-football-award_2293338_3713279|work=The Football League|access-date=24 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322102335/http://www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20140316/john-bowler-honoured-with-contribution-to-league-football-award_2293338_3713279|archive-date=22 March 2014|df=dmy-all}} Dario Gradi had earlier won the same award, in 2011. In the 2015 New Year Honours, Bowler was awarded an MBE for services to football; Gradi was presented an MBE in January 1998.{{cite news|title=Crewe Alexandra: Chairman John Bowler 'humbled' by MBE award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30642096|access-date=6 February 2015|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=31 December 2014}}

Crewe retained their place in League One in the 2013–14 season, but started the following season poorly, gaining four points from the first 11 League games. Some sustained runs of better results pulled the club out of the relegation places. The team needed at least a home draw against Bradford City to secure safety but lost 1–0 and had to rely on results elsewhere to ensure League One football for another year, finishing two points above the bottom four in 20th.{{cite news|title=Crewe 0 – 1 Bradford|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471095|access-date=4 May 2015}}

The 2015–16 season started in a similar pattern, with the team winning just two of their first 15 league games. They also crashed out of the FA Cup in the first round against non-league Eastleigh,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34685303 Crewe 0–1 Eastleigh], BBC Sport, 7 November 2015. Retrieved: 12 November 2015. forcing Davis to defend his position as the 'right man' for the job.{{cite news|title=Steve Davis: Crewe boss insists he is 'right man' for the job|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34779431|access-date=12 November 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=10 November 2015}} Crewe's relegation to League Two was confirmed following a 3–0 defeat at local rivals Port Vale, with five games remaining.{{cite news|title=Port Vale 3–0 Crewe Alexandra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35949609|access-date=9 April 2016|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=9 April 2016}} After an initially promising start to the following season, Crewe's form slumped in late 2016, and on 8 January 2017, Davis was sacked as Crewe manager.{{cite press release | url=http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/2016-17/club-part-company-with-steve-davis-3508191.aspx | title=Club Part Company With Steve Davis | publisher=Crewe Alexandra F.C. | date=8 January 2017 | access-date=8 January 2017}}

Former Crewe defender and Academy operations manager David Artell replaced Davis.{{cite news|date=8 July 2014|title=Artell Replaces Michael Jolley|work=crewealex.net|url=http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/artell-replaces-michael-jolley-1726977.aspx|access-date=7 September 2014}}{{cite news|title=Crewe Alexandra: David Artell named manager after sacking of Steve Davis|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38547790|access-date=8 January 2017|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=8 January 2017}} Artell maintained the flow of academy players and, as Crewe improved to 15th at the end of the 2017–18 season, he emulated Davis in selecting another starting line-up who were all Crewe Academy graduates.{{cite news|title=Crewe Alexandra 2–1 Cheltenham Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43931753|access-date=10 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|agency=BBC|date=5 May 2018}}

After 36 years involvement with the club, Gradi, 78, announced his retirement from all positions at Crewe Alexandra on 7 October 2019.{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Peter |title=Dario Gradi retires from positions at Crewe Alex |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/dario-gradi-retires-positions-crewe-17044705 |access-date=7 October 2019 |work=Cheshire Live |date=7 October 2019}} In February 2020, further changes to the club's board were announced with local businessman Stuart Whitby{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Peter |title=Investing in great escape made perfect sense for new Crewe Alex director Stuart Whitby |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/investing-great-escape-made-perfect-18016456 |access-date=9 August 2020 |work=Cheshire Live |date=1 April 2020}} and former Nantwich Town chairman Tony Davison joining the board following a £1.75m buy-out of majority shareholder Norman Hassall. The Railwaymen Supporters Society also raised £250,000,{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Peter |title=Nantwich Town chairman Tony Davison resigns to become a director at Crewe Alex |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/nantwich-town-chairman-tony-davison-17683816 |access-date=4 February 2020 |work=Cheshire Live |date=4 February 2020}} to earn the right for a Crewe fans' representative on the club's new board.{{cite news |last1=Tantram |first1=Tim |title=#Project250 – Target Achieved! |url=https://railwaymen.co.uk/index.php/2020/02/03/project250-target-achieved/ |access-date=4 February 2020 |work=The Railwaymen Supporters Society |date=3 February 2020}}

On the pitch, Artell's progress since 2017 culminated in Crewe vying for promotion for much of the 2019–20 season, with the club top of the table (ahead of Swindon Town on goal difference) when the football season was suspended in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On 9 June, Crewe's promotion to League One was confirmed, but Swindon were crowned League Two champions on the basis of average points per game.{{cite news |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2020}} Artell was selected as League Two Manager of the Year in the League Managers Association Awards{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=David |title=Crewe Alex boss David Artell picks up LMA Manager of the Year accolade for League Two |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/crewe-alex-boss-david-artell-18672685 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Cheshire Live |date=27 July 2020}}—becoming the first Crewe manager to win such an annual award—and two Academy graduates, Perry Ng and Charlie Kirk, were named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.{{cite web |title=PFA Awards |url=https://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfa-awards |website=PFA |access-date=9 September 2020}} Crewe finished 12th in League One at the end of the 2020–21 season – the club's highest finish since relegation from the Championship in 2006.{{cite news |title=Young Crewe Alexandra squad consolidate League One status |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2021/04/20/young-crewe-alexandra-squad-consolidate-league-one-status/ |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=Nantwich News |date=20 April 2021}}

However, the following season was "one of the worst" seasons in Crewe's modern history; the club was relegated with four games still to play after a 2–0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers on 9 April 2022.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60963575 |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2022}} Two days later, Crewe parted company with Artell; assistant manager Alex Morris was appointed interim manager,{{cite news |title=David Artell: Crewe Alexandra part company with boss following relegation to League Two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61070258 |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 April 2022}}

becoming the permanent manager on 28 April 2022.{{cite news |title=Alex Morris Appointed First-Team Manager |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/april/alex-morris-appointed-first-team-manager/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=CreweAlex |date=28 April 2022}} However, just over six month later, on 4 November 2022, Morris, winless in nine games, stepped down as manager "for compassionate reasons" and reverted to assistant manager. Lee Bell became interim manager{{cite news|title=Alex Morris steps down as First-Team Manager |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/november/alex-morris-steps-down-as-first-team-manager/ |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Crewe Alexandra |date=4 November 2022}}{{cite news |title=Alex Morris: Crewe Alexandra boss steps down to be assistant, Lee Bell becomes interim manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63517779 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2022}} and on 1 December 2022 was given the job on a permanent basis.{{cite web|url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/december/lee-bell-appointed-first-team-manager/|title=Lee Bell appointed First Team Manager|website=www.crewealex.net|date=1 December 2022|accessdate=1 December 2022}}

Bell managed the side to 13th place at the end of the 2022–23 season,{{cite news |title=Newport County 2-2 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65445729 |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2023}} improving to 6th place the following season; in the play-offs, they beat Doncaster to reach a fourth play-off final,{{cite news |title=Colchester United 1-1 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68862488 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2024}} but lost 2–0 to Crawley Town at Wembley on 19 May 2024.{{cite news |title=Crawley Town Crawley Town 2 0 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crgygex110jt |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2024}} In July 2024, Crewe chairman Charles Grant wrote an open letter saying the club was seeking new investment to help it "rise up the pyramid".{{cite news |title=League Two side Crewe to look for new investment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crgmyjwe1vko |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2024}}

File:Alexandra Recreation Ground - 1888 OS map detail.png

{{Main|Alexandra Recreation Ground}}

Until 1896, Crewe played at the Alexandra Recreation Ground, located just to the north of the modern-day Gresty Road. After playing at various venues in 1896 and 1897, including in nearby Sandbach, the club returned to the same area of Crewe, adjacent to Crewe railway station, to play at the first Gresty Road ground, located to the south-east of the original stadium. In 1906 the ground was demolished to make way for some new railway lines, and a new Gresty Road stadium was built on a site directly to the west.Smith & Smith, p13

{{Main|Gresty Road}}

File:Gresty Road - geograph.org.uk - 1493956.jpg

File:Gresty Road, Crewe.jpg

The pitch runs approximately east to west, with teams playing either west towards Gresty Road or east towards the railway station. The main stand has always been situated on the south side of the ground. Until the 1990s, the main stand was a wooden structure, built in 1932 after a fire destroyed the original stand,Smith & Smith, p13Morris, pp.96–97. offering the ground's only (wooden) seating plus a standing area―'The Paddock'―while the other three sides were all standing terraces. This configuration saw the club's record attendance when 20,000 people watched the FA Cup third round tie against Spurs in 1960.

During the 1990s, phased modernisation saw open terracing at the "Railway End" (at one time a roughly formed "ash bank" terraced with sleepers) replaced by a new family stand in 1993.Hornbrook, p.71. The "Gresty Road End" (then the main away supporters area) was also replaced by an all-seater stand in 1995;Hornbrook, p.100. and the partially-covered northern stand (the home supporters' "Pop Side") was replaced by an all-seater stand in 1996–97.Hornbrook, p.117. Completion of the final phase in 2000, including construction of a new £5.2 million main stand, saw some reorganisation of seating allocations. Away fans are currently accommodated in the stand along the northern touchline, with the option of additional capacity in the family stand for particularly large visiting contingents; Crewe hosted its first crowd of over 10,000 in the now all-seater stadium in 2000Hornbrook, p.170. with the record attendance of 10,092 when Crewe played Manchester City on 12 March 2002.{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra 1–3 Manchester City |url=http://doingthe92.com/display_game.asp?Step=40&eventid=62592&C=54&T=72 |website=Doing the 92 |access-date=24 March 2021}} The Gresty Road End and main stand are solely for home supporters.{{cite web |title=Alexandra Stadium: Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/grounds/england/alexandra-stadium/ |website=Football Stadiums |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=24 March 2021}}

In June 2021, the club agreed a £0.5m naming rights deal with its long-term shirt sponsor Mornflake; the ground would be called the "Mornflake Stadium" until 2023–24;{{cite news |title=Crewe Alexandra: Gresty Road is rebranded as Mornflake Stadium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57246383 |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2021}} in December 2023, Mornflake extended their stadium and shirt sponsorship.{{cite news |last1=Rial |first1=Bradley |title=Crewe Alexandra extends with stadium sponsor Mornflake |url=https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2023/12/21/crewe-alexandra-extends-with-stadium-sponsor-mornflake/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=The Stadium Business |date=21 December 2023}} Also known as the Alexandra Stadium, it has an all-seated capacity of 10,153. It features four stands:

• The "Boughey Stand",{{cite news |title=Company Renews Commitment to Crewe Alexandra |url=https://boughey.co.uk/company-renews-commitment-to-crewe-alexandra/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Boughey |date=23 June 2023}} or main stand, seats 6,809 spectators and also has a directors area and media seating, and houses the club's offices, team changing rooms, hospitality facilities, ticket office and club shop.{{cite web |title=Boughey Distribution To Sponsor Main Stand (1 August 2022) |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/august/boughey-distribution-to-sponsor-main-stand/ |website=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |access-date=18 August 2022}}
• The "KPI Recruiting Stand",{{cite news |title=Crewe Alexandra announce new KPI Recruiting Partnership |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2023/july/crewe-alexandra-announce-new-kpi-recruiting-partnership/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=14 July 2023}} also known as the "Gresty Road End", accommodates 982 spectators and 4 disabled spectators. A bar for home supporters is situated to the north of this stand.
• "The Andrew Connolly Financial Planning Stand",{{cite news |title=Venue: Mornflake Stadium, Crewe Alexandra |url=https://behindsport.com/venue-mornflake-stadium-crewe-alexandra/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=BehindSport |date=1 September 2022}} also known as the "Railway End", accommodates 682 spectators.
• The "Whitby Morrison Ice Cream Van Stand",{{cite web |title=Whitby Morrison Extend Partnership (7 August 2020) |website=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2020/august/whitby-morrison-extend-partnership/ |publisher=CAFC |access-date=9 August 2020}} formerly the "Pop Side", accommodates 1,680 away spectators, and also houses the ground's matchday video filming facilities. In July 2021, Whitby Morrison announced a 99-year extension of its stand sponsorship at Crewe.{{cite news |title=Whitby Morrison agree to one of the longest sponsorship deals in sporting history |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2021/july/99-reasons-to-celebrate-one-of-the-longest-sponsorship-deals-in-sporting-history/ |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=22 July 2021}}

Should the ground require expansion, the most likely change will be redevelopment of the Ice Cream Van Stand to become a two-tiered stand. In February 2023, the club announced plans to install 3,000 solar panels above spaces in the car park south of the main (Boughey) stand, with energy to be used to power the stadium or to bring in cash.{{cite news |title=Crewe Alexandra Football Club plans large solar farm on car park |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-64498161 |access-date=5 February 2023 |work=BBC News |date=3 February 2023}}

File:Crewe alexandra 1988-1989.gif

Since the late 1890s, the main (home) Crewe playing strip has featured a red or predominantly red top, usually with white shorts (though red and black shorts have also been briefly adopted) and red socks. The team played in white shirts and blue shorts from 1886 to 1896, but have since played mainly in red and white.{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Crewe_Alexandra/Crewe_Alexandra.htm |website=Historical Football Kits |access-date=24 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra |url=https://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/crewe-alexandra/ |website=The Beautiful History Of Club Crests, Club Colours & Nicknames |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=24 March 2021}} The red shirts earned the early nickname of the "Robins", though the club is more commonly referred to as the "Alex" or the "Railwaymen" (reflecting the club's railway works founders, the town's associations with the railway industry, and the club's proximity to Crewe railway station).

Crewe's away colours have varied. Blue, white or blue-and-white shirts have been the most commonly adopted, but during the 21st century, the club has also occasionally played in other colours;{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra |url=https://footballshirthistory.weebly.com/c---g/category/crewe-alexandra |website=Football Shirts History |access-date=14 July 2021}} black with a gold trim was adopted for the 2021–2022 season,{{cite news |title=New 2021-22 Away Shirt Revealed |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2021/july/new-2021-22-away-shirt-revealed/ |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=9 July 2021}} then light and dark blue vertical stripes the following season.{{cite news |title=Away Shirt On Sale This Saturday! |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/july/away-shirt-on-sale-this-saturday/ |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=13 July 2022}}

The town's crest appeared on the team's shirts in the 1958–59 season. This included a lion―associated with the Marquess of Crewe―holding a cogged wheel, a larger six-spoked railway wheel, and two wheatsheaves reflecting south Cheshire's agricultural connections. This was replaced in 1975 by a simpler badge with a lion holding a railway wheel―a motif borrowed from British Rail―on a circle containing the words 'Crewe Alexandra Football Club' arranged around a football. The current badge, adopted in 1998, features a lion perched on a football, encircled by a laurel and the club's name; it dropped the railway wheel, prompting some Crewe fans to demand the club "bring back the wheel". The club's mascot is also a lion: Gresty the Lion appears on matchdays and in other community activities.{{cite news |title=Our Leighton Hospital Visit |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2019/december/mid-cheshire-hospital-visit/ |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=19 December 2019}}

The current shirt sponsor is cereals supplier Mornflake―also based in Gresty Road―whose logo has appeared on the shirts since 2005.{{cite news |title=Mornflake Extend Shirt Sponsorship Deal |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2020/june/mornflake-extend-shirt-sponsorship-deal/ |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=19 June 2020}} In December 2023, Mornflake extended their shirt sponsorship, making it the longest continual agreement in the EFL, and October 2024 saw the 1,000th game since Mornflake's shirt sponsorship began.{{cite news |title=Alex to officially mark Mornflake’s 1,000 game milestone |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2024/october/24/alex-to-officially-mark-mornflake-s-1-000-game-milestone/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=24 October 2024}}

Crewe is the third largest town in Cheshire: its built-up area had a total population of 76,437 in 2021.{{cite web |title=CREWE in Cheshire East (North West England) Built-up Area Subdivision |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/northwestengland/cheshire_east/E35001040__crewe/ |publisher=City Population |access-date=5 February 2023}} Founded by employees of the railway works, the club drew many of its supporters from the works, as well as residents from more rural areas surrounding the town. The club's location next to Crewe railway station has also helped supporters travel to and from games at Gresty Road. From the 1920s through to the 1960s, attendances typically averaged around 6,000,{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |url=http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/league/crea.htm |website=European Football Statistics |access-date=24 March 2021}} but local derbies could more than double crowds: the visit of Stoke City on 26 October 1926 attracted 15,102, for example,Crisp, p.53. while Port Vale drew 17,883 on 21 September 1953,Crisp, p.85. Crewe's record league crowd. Cup matches against major clubs such as Spurs also drew large crowds (a record 20,000 in 1960).Crisp, pp.9, 91. However, league attendances dwindled in the 1970s and 1980s,Morris, p.200. when seasonal averages of under 2,000 were recorded four times, with 1986-87 being lowest: 1,817; just 1,009 watched a 1–1 draw with Peterborough United on 4 February 1986.Crisp, p.117. Crewe's resurgence from the mid-1980s under Gradi boosted local interest, with 5,000-plus attendances increasingly common, even as Gresty Road's transition to an all-seater stadium began to restrict numbers in the late 1990s; average attendance peaked at 7,741 in 2004 during Crewe's years in the Championship. League Two crowds before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in 2020 averaged 4,580, just above their all-time average, 4,576.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=How Derby County would fare if English football clubs were ranked by their all-time attendances |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-fans-pride-park-5238822 |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=Derby Telegraph |date=28 March 2021}}

Ticket prices at Gresty Road are broadly in line with other clubs' rates for all-seated areas. In the BBC's 2017 Price of Football survey, Crewe's tickets for individual League Two games cost a maximum of £22 (15 other clubs charged higher prices); the most expensive Crewe season ticket cost £325 (only one other club, Accrington Stanley, charged less for its most expensive season tickets), and its lowest priced season ticket (£280) was in the mid-range for the division.{{cite news |title=Price of Football: Full results 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41482931 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2017}} For the 2021–2022 season in League One, matchday tickets cost a maximum of £25.{{cite web |title=2021/22 League Match Ticket Prices |url=https://www.crewealex.net/tickets/home-tickets/ |website=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |access-date=14 July 2021}}

Crewe's main rivals are fellow English Football League team Port Vale. As of November 2024, the clubs have played 84 games since 1892 (8 games against Burslem Port Vale); overall, Crewe have won 20 games, Port Vale have won 40, with the teams drawing 24 games.{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra football club: record v Port Vale |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/crewe-alexandra/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Port%20Vale/ |website=11 v 11 |access-date=27 November 2024}} The rivalry (known by some since the 1980s as the A500 Derby) intensified after the millennium, when both clubs were in Leagues One and Two, with close encounters sometimes resulting in violence and arrests.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-12201606|title=Football fans charged after Crewe and Port Vale match|date=16 January 2011|work=BBC News}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/13-arrests-following-Port-Vale-Crewe-Alex-game/story-20167780-detail/story.html|title=13 arrests made following Port Vale and Crewe Alex game|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204713/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/13-arrests-following-Port-Vale-Crewe-Alex-game/story-20167780-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 January 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} In January 2015 at Vale Park, Crewe won 1–0 to seal their first league double over Port Vale, and two arrests were made at the game, with minor disturbances between rival fans after the match.{{Cite web |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/arrests-following-Port-Vale-s-1-0-home-defeat/story-25917916-detail/story.html |title=Two arrests following Port Vale's 1-0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra | Stoke Sentinel |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504211656/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/arrests-following-Port-Vale-s-1-0-home-defeat/story-25917916-detail/story.html |archive-date=4 May 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Six arrests were made at Gresty Road during the 22 September 2018 meeting between the two sides.{{cite news |last1=Wise |first1=Lauren |title=Six arrested at Crewe Alex v Port Vale match |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/two-arrested-crewe-alex-v-15192662 |access-date=24 September 2018 |work=Cheshire Live |date=24 September 2018}} A 2019 study ranked the Port Vale-Crewe Alexandra rivalry as the 14th biggest rivalry in English professional football.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Stoke v Port Vale named in top 30 English football rivalries, below Vale v Crewe |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-port-vale-derby-3300121 |access-date=9 September 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=9 September 2019}}

Crewe also maintain smaller rivalries with Wrexham, Salford City, Shrewsbury Town, Stoke City and traditional local Cheshire derbies with Macclesfield, Chester City, Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers. The Railwaymen's rivalry with Stockport intensified somewhat in 2009 when Stockport all but relegated Crewe from League One, after beating them 4–3 at Edgeley Park.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8002053.stm|title=Stockport 4–3 Crewe|work=BBC Sport}} Crewe then returned the favour on 30 April 2011, when they beat County 2–0 at Gresty Road, confirming County's relegation to non-League football.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-relegated-crewe-2-859633|title=Stockport County relegated: Crewe 2 Stockport 0|date=30 April 2011|work=Manchester Evening News}}

Crewe's fans were the first to sing the song "Blue Moon"Morris, p.100.―also sung by fans of Manchester City―(with lyrics that do not quite match the Rodgers and Hart original) and said to be a response to the gloomy days of the 1950s and 1960s,{{cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/club-news/club-news/2013/august/blue-moon|title=Blue Moon: City fan anthem|work=Manchester City FC}}. Retrieved: 16 March 2021. or reflecting an old joke that the team only wins 'once in a blue moon', i.e., rarely.{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Charlie |title=Letter: A run of success eclipses the footballing blues |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d5ee6fb5-72d9-4dcf-a586-71fe285725f9 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d5ee6fb5-72d9-4dcf-a586-71fe285725f9 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=Financial Times |date=12 March 2021}} During the 1990s, one Crewe supporter, classically trained musician Richard Sutton, was known for taking a trumpet to games,Hornbrook, p.74. playing occasional fanfares such as the theme from Star Wars during matches.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Phil |title=Football: Crewe scuttle Marine's Cup aspirations |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-crewe-scuttle-marine-s-cup-aspirations-1478321.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708223454/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-crewe-scuttle-marine-s-cup-aspirations-1478321.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2022 |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=Independent |date=13 January 1993 }} The Crewe-based dance trio Dario G were named after Dario Gradi.{{cite news |title=Super Dario 20 not out |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/super-dario-20-not-out-2941664 |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=Daily Post |date=4 June 2003}}{{cite news |last1=Ronay |first1=Barney |title=Homespun philosophy of Crewe's Dario Gradi recognised by Football League |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2011/mar/21/dario-gradi-crewe-football-league-crewe |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=21 March 2011}}

Crewe supporters often sing a song featuring the line "We are the Railwaymen". Aggregating and formalising several former Crewe supporters groups, and supported by the national Football Supporters' Association, the independent Railwaymen Supporters Society was established in 2018, and incorporated as a community benefit society on 8 July 2019.{{cite web |title=The Railwaymen Supporters Society Limited |url=https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/30427 |website=Financial Conduct Authority |access-date=21 February 2022}}[https://railwaymen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Railwaymen-2020-Accounts.pdf The Railwaymen Supporters Society Limited: Report of the Society Board for the Period 8th July 2019 to 30th June 2020]. Access date: 26 March 2021. Initiatives have included a campaign, Project250, to raise £250,000 to invest in club shares and gain representation on the club's board (achieved in February 2020),{{cite news |title=New Crewe Alex board of directors to meet after fans make dream a reality |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/new-crewe-alex-board-directors-17687768 |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=Cheshire Live |date=5 February 2020}} and the establishment of an Ex-Players Association (Gareth Whalley is its president).{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Peter |title=Crewe Alex legend Gareth Whalley to be president of supporters' club initiative |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/crewe-alex-legend-gareth-whalley-16131370 |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=Cheshire Live |date=15 April 2019}}

{{main|Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy}}

As an early professional club in the late 19th century, several Crewe players achieved international selection, particularly for Wales. During the 20th century, however, Crewe had few stars. Welsh international Fred Keenor played his final league games for the club and his last international cap in 1932 was Crewe's first of the century. Some players started or developed their careers at Crewe before achieving fame elsewhere. For example, forward Frank Blunstone played 48 League games for Crewe in the early 1950s before a move to Chelsea and five England caps,{{cite web|title=Frank Blunstone – Player Profile|date=September 2009 |url=http://www.football-england.com/frank_blunstone.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703142140/http://www.football-england.com/frank_blunstone.html|archive-date=2013-07-03|publisher=football-england.com|access-date=14 July 2021}} Stan Bowles scored 18 Crewe goals in 51 games in the early 1970s and went on to play for Queens Park Rangers and England,{{Hugman|1975|Stan Bowles|access-date=14 July 2021}} and goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar played 24 Crewe matches at the start of the 1980s before moving to Liverpool.

Crewe's conscious investment in young players began in the late 1980s when then manager Dario Gradi and club chairman John Bowler got the local council to contribute towards the costs of an all-weather pitch at Gresty Road.Hornbrook, p.36. This formed the starting point for a youth coaching facility, which by the early 1990s was coaching 120 youngsters every week.Hornbrook, p.56. In 1995, Crewe leased a 20-acre site at Reaseheath, near Nantwich, planning a £750,000 training and player development facility largely funded by transfer sales.Hornbrook, p.94. In 1996, Crewe received a lottery grant to develop a youth coaching facility in nearby Shavington.Hornbrook, p.118. By 2015, player sales had generated over £20 million which had contributed to modernising Gresty Road and developing Crewe's Academy,{{cite news |last1=McClurg |first1=Ian |title=The pioneering work of Crewe Alexandra's Academy |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/02/09/the-pioneering-work-of-crewe-alexandra/ |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=These Football Times |date=9 February 2015}} making it the only club outside the top two divisions to have a Category Two academy club; in 2022, it was ranked in the top 10 academies in England and Wales.{{cite news |title=Top 10 academy ranking is 'credit to hard-working staff' |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/october/top-10-academy-ranking-is-credit-to-hard-working-staff/ |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=20 October 2022}}

Players who passed through the ranks since establishment of the academy include England internationals Geoff Thomas and David Platt, Wales international Robbie Savage, and Northern Ireland's Neil Lennon and Steve Jones. These were all youngsters signed from other clubs, but the academy also nurtured Crewe's own trainees – most notably England internationals Rob Jones, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson and Dean Ashton, plus Wales midfielder David Vaughan.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Owen |title=Crewe Alexandra: how a football talent factory has been thrown into turmoil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/24/crewe-alexandra-barry-bennell |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=24 November 2016}}Morris, p.279.

{{main|United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal}}

{{further|Sexual abuse cases at Crewe Alexandra F.C.}}

On 16 November 2016, former Crewe defender Andy Woodward revealed that he had been the victim of child sexual abuse by former football coach Barry Bennell (convicted as a paedophile in the US in 1994) at the club in the 1980s.{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Andy Woodward: 'It was the softer, weaker boys he targeted'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/16/andy-woodward|access-date=19 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=16 November 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|last2=James|first2=Stuart|title=Associate of Barry Bennell also preyed on boys, two former footballers reveal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/17/barry-bennell-two-former-players-reveal|access-date=19 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=17 November 2016}} By the time club chairman John Bowler responded to the revelations, on Monday 21 November, six other individuals had contacted the police,{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Six come forward after Andy Woodward's story of abuse at Crewe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/21/crewe-alexandra-andy-woodward|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=21 November 2016}} with Woodward's Crewe teammate Steve Walters alleging he was another of Bennell's victims.{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Second footballer reveals abuse by serial paedophile Barry Bennell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/steve-walters-andy-woodward-crewe-alexandra|access-date=22 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=22 November 2016}} Woodward criticised Crewe for failing to apologise.{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Andy Woodward criticises Crewe over lack of apology in Barry Bennell case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/andy-woodward-crewe-alexandra|access-date=23 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=22 November 2016}} On 27 November 2016, a third former Crewe player, Anthony Hughes, revealed that he too had been abused by Bennell,{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse: Crewe launch child abuse investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38118429|access-date=27 November 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=27 November 2016}} as did Crewe trainee, later Wimbledon and Northern Ireland international Mark Williams.{{cite news|last1=Parveen|first1=Nazia|title=Former Northern Ireland player Mark Williams was 'victim of sexual abuse'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/29/northern-ireland-player-mark-williams-victim-sexual-abuse-barry-bennell|access-date=6 December 2016|work=Guardian|date=29 November 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Austin|first1=Jack|title=Football abuse scandal: Former Premier League player becomes fifth footballer to reveal sexual abuse|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-abuse-scandal-former-premier-league-fifth-footballer-sexual-abuse-barry-bennell-a7445976.html|access-date=6 December 2016|work=Independent|date=29 November 2016}}

Bennell was tried at Liverpool Crown Court in early 2018, and convicted of 50 offences of sexual abuse against 12 boys{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell guilty of further sex abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43069415|access-date=15 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2018}} (and on 20 February 2018 was sentenced to 30 years in prison).{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Barry Bennell branded 'sheer evil' as he is sentenced to 30 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/19/barry-bennell-branded-sheer-evil-as-he-is-sentenced-to-31-years |access-date=2019-10-02 |work=Guardian |date=2018-02-20}} After the guilty verdicts on 15 February, victims including Andy Woodward and Steve Walters read statements outside court. Crewe Alexandra expressed its "deepest sympathies" to Bennell's victims, saying it was not aware of any sexual abuse by Bennell nor had it received any complaint about sexual abuse by him before or during his employment with the club,{{cite web|title=Club Statement: Barry Bennell|url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2018/february/club-statement-barry-bennell/|website=CreweAlex.net|access-date=15 February 2018}} though this has been disputed.{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Manchester City 'ignored warnings' and kept Barry Bennell in youth set-up|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/15/manchester-city-barry-bennell-warning|access-date=15 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=15 February 2018}}

Walters accused Crewe of "victim blaming" in a bid to avoid compensation payouts. He and at least one other former Crewe player launched High Court damages claims of upwards of £200,000 against the club;{{cite news |title=Duo sue the Alex over their ordeal at hands of abuser Bennell |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=13 March 2019}} an eight-week trial was listed to start in October 2021.{{cite news|date=5 May 2020|title=Barry Bennell sex abuse: Eight men sue Man City|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-52549032|access-date=8 May 2020}} On 19 March 2019, the Guardian reported Crewe Alexandra planned to contest victims' claims,{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Taylor |title=Crewe claim they did not arrange for boys to stay with Barry Bennell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/19/crewe-barry-bennell-arrange-stays-lawyers-catholic-church |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=Guardian |date=19 March 2019}} but later (27 March 2019), reported an apparent U-turn in Crewe's approach; it had agreed an out-of-court financial settlement with one of Bennell's victims.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Crewe agree first settlement with Barry Bennell victim after U-turn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/26/crewe-first-out-of-court-settlement-barry-bennell-victim |access-date=28 March 2019 |work=Guardian |date=26 March 2019}} Andy Woodward had unsuccessfully sued Crewe for damages in 2004.{{cite news |last1=Woodward |first1=Andy |title=Andy Woodward extract: 'Telling my story stopped a young guy ending his life' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/04/andy-woodward-book-extract-abuse-barry-bennell |access-date=5 June 2019 |work=Guardian |date=4 June 2019}}

Crewe were additionally criticised for not holding an independent review into how they dealt with historical child sex abuse allegations.{{cite news|last1=Townsend|first1=Mark|title=Crewe to launch independent review into handling of child abuse allegations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/26/crewe-independent-review-handling-child-abuse-allegations|access-date=27 November 2016|work=The Observer|date=26 November 2016}} In March 2018, the said that, as it had fully co-operated with police investigations, it did "not intend to commission a further independent investigation," and the police's report had also been supplied to the FA review headed by Clive Sheldon.{{cite web|title=Club Statement: Barry Bennell (2)|url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2018/march/club-statement-barry-bennell-2/|access-date=2 March 2018|website=CreweAlex.net}} This decision was criticised by local MP Laura Smith,{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=MP urges Crewe Alex to hold independent investigation into historic handling of child sex predator Barry Bennell|url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/mp-urges-crewe-alex-hold-14387725|access-date=9 March 2018|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=9 March 2018}} by MP Damian Collins, chair of the DCMS select committee,{{cite news|last1=Drucker|first1=James|title=Crewe's refusal to conduct internal Barry Bennell inquiry is 'totally unacceptable', says Damian Collins|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/03/14/crewes-refusal-conduct-internal-barry-bennell-inquiry-totally/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/03/14/crewes-refusal-conduct-internal-barry-bennell-inquiry-totally/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=21 March 2018|work=Telegraph|date=14 March 2018}}{{cbignore}} by Crewe Town Council,{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=Crewe Alex refusal to hold inquiry 'demonstrates a disregard for Bennell's victims' town council leader says|url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/crewe-alex-refusal-hold-inquiry-14407864|access-date=14 March 2018|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=13 March 2018}} and by the Professional Footballers Association's Gordon Taylor.{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Crewe excluded from regional awards for handling of Barry Bennell scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/10/crewe-barry-bennell-excluded-northwest-football-awards|access-date=11 March 2018|work=Observer|date=10 March 2018}} In his final report, Sheldon said he "liaised with the Club and its lawyers with a view to suggesting other lines of enquiry that could usefully be followed up by the Club. Ultimately, the Club agreed to conduct those further enquiries, and provided me with a report setting out its conclusions."{{cite book |last1=Sheldon |first1=Clive |title=Independent Review into Child Sexual Abuse in Football 1970–2005 |date=2021 |publisher=Football Association |location=London |url=https://the-fa.com/7ZFDqu |access-date=23 March 2021}}

The FA's 710-page report, published on 17 March 2021, identified failures to act adequately on complaints or rumours of sexual abuse at eight professional clubs including Crewe. Considering whether senior Crewe people knew about Bennell, Sheldon concluded they had not received specific reports of abuse. However, directors had discussed concerns about inappropriate behaviour, and the club "should have done more to check on the well-being of the boys".{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=Football sexual abuse report: ignorance and naivety cleared way for scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/17/football-sexual-abuse-report-scandal-sheldon-fa |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=17 March 2021}} Following publication of the report, Crewe Alexandra apologised to all survivors of Bennell's abuse, expressing "wholehearted regret" about their ignorance of his crimes,{{cite news |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Crewe 'sorry' for being unaware of Barry Bennell abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56449653 |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2021}} and Gradi also apologised.{{cite news |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Ex-Crewe boss Dario Gradi apologises for not recognising abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56464043 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2021}} With Gradi "effectively banned for life" from football for safeguarding reasons,{{cite news|date=17 March 2021|title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Sheldon review finds 'institutional failings'|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56418652|access-date=18 March 2021}} Crewe chairman John Bowler was pressed to resign{{cite news|last1=Rumsby|first1=Ben|date=18 March 2021|title=Crewe Alexandra chairman under pressure|work=Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/18/feted-great-talent-spotter-dario-gradi-now-man-failed-spot-appalling/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/18/feted-great-talent-spotter-dario-gradi-now-man-failed-spot-appalling/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=18 March 2021}}{{cbignore}} and did so on 25 March 2021.{{cite news|last1=Ostlere|first1=Lawrence|date=25 March 2021|title=Crewe chairman John Bowler stands down in wake of Sheldon Review into sexual abuse scandal|work=Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crewe-alexandra-john-bowler-sexual-abuse-scandal-b1822198.html|access-date=25 March 2021}} Awarded an MBE in 1998,[http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/dario-gradi-mbe/ Dario Gradi MBE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417123541/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/dario-gradi-mbe/|date=17 April 2015}}, League Managers Association. Retrieved: 17 April 2015. Gradi was stripped of the award in August 2023 following a professional disbarment{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individuals-whose-honours-have-been-revoked-by-the-sovereign/list-of-individuals-who-have-forfeited-their-honour-august-2023|title=List of individuals who have forfeited their honour - August 2023|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=22 August 2023|access-date=23 August 2023}} for failing to protect children from sexual abuse.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Taylor (journalist) |date=21 August 2023 |title=Former Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi stripped of MBE |url=https://theathletic.com/4792589/2023/08/21/dario-gradi-crewe-alexandra-mbe/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |work=The Athletic}}{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |date=21 August 2023 |title=Dario Gradi to lose MBE after failing to protect children from sexual abuse |work=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/21/dario-gradi-to-lose-mbe-after-failing-to-protect-children-from-sexual-abuse |access-date=21 August 2023}}

{{Main|List of Crewe Alexandra F.C. records and statistics}}

Crewe's biggest league victory came against Rotherham United on 1 October 1932 in the Third Division North when they won 8–0.Crisp, p.59. In the FA Cup, their biggest win was 9–1 over Northwich Victoria on 16 November 1889.Crisp, p.20. The club's heaviest defeat was in the FA Cup in 1960 when they were beaten 13–2 by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 30 January 1960, a game watched by 64,365: the largest crowd for a match involving Crewe.Crisp, p.91. In the league, Crewe's worst performance saw them beaten 11–1 at Lincoln City on 29 September 1951 in the Third Division North.Crisp, p.83.

Tommy Lowry made the most first team appearances in all competitions for Crewe: 482 between 1965 and 1977. Bert Swindells holds the record for most Crewe goals: 128, scored from 1927 to 1937, while Terry Harkin scored the most Crewe goals in a single season: 34 in 1964–65. Best match return was five goals, scored by Tony Naylor in Crewe's 7–1 league defeat of Colchester United at Gresty Road on 24 April 1993.Crisp, p.124.

William Bell was the first Crewe player to win an international cap, playing for Wales against Ireland in Wrexham in February 1886. Clayton Ince, with 31 caps for Trinidad and Tobago, has won most caps while playing for Crewe.{{cite web |title=Clayton Ince – International Appearances |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/cince-intl.html |website=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=28 March 2021}} Efe Sodje is the only Crewe player to play in a World Cup Finals tournament, for Nigeria against Argentina, on 2 June 2002, and then against England on 12 June 2002, both in Japan.

Crewe's most expensive player was Rodney Jack, signed from Torquay United in August 1998 for £650,000.Hornbrook, p.150. Crewe were reported to have received £3 million for Nick Powell when he moved to Manchester United on 2 July 2012, with options for the fee to grow to £6 million depending on appearances.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18396573 |title=Manchester United sign Nick Powell from Crewe Alexandra |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 September 2012 |access-date=15 September 2012 }} Crewe also received £3 million for Seth Johnson's 1999 move to Derby County, and for Dean Ashton's move to Norwich City in 2005.

{{updated|30 January 2025}}{{cite news |title=2022/23 Squad Numbers Announced |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/july/202223-squad-numbers-announced/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=27 July 2022}}

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no=1|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Tom Booth}}

{{fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ryan Cooney}}

{{fs player|no=3|nat=CAN|pos=DF|name=Jamie Knight-Lebel|other=on loan from Bristol City}}

{{fs player|no=4|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Zac Williams|other=vice-captain}}

{{fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Mickey Demetriou|other=captain}}{{cite news |title=Demetriou named as Alex captain |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2024/august/09/demetriou-named-as-alex-captain/ |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=CreweAlex.net |date=9 August 2024}}

{{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Max Sanders}}

{{fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Chris Long}}

{{fs player|no=8|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Conor Thomas}}

{{fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Omar Bogle}}

{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Shilow Tracey}}

{{fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Joel Tabiner}}

{{fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Filip Marschall|other=on loan from Aston Villa}}

{{fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jack Lankester}}

{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Kane Hemmings}}

{{fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Lucas Sant}}

{{fs player|no=17|nat=SVK|pos=MF|name=Matúš Holíček}}

{{fs player|no=18|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=James Connolly}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Owen Lunt}}

{{fs player|no=20|nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=Calum Agius}}

{{fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Fin Roberts}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Stan Dancey}}

{{fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jack Powell|other=3rd captain}}

{{fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Charlie Finney}}

{{fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Max Conway|other=on loan from Bolton Wanderers}}

{{fs player|no=26|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=Connor O'Riordan|other=on loan from Blackburn Rovers}}

{{fs player|no=27|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Owen Taylor}}

{{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Lewis Billington}}

{{fs player|no=29|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=Adrien Thibaut}}

{{fs player|no=30|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Tom Lowery|other=on loan from Portsmouth}}

{{fs player|no=31|nat=POL|pos=GK|name=Mikolaj Lenarcik}}

{{fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Luca Moore}}

{{fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Oliver Armstrong}}

{{fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Will Perry}}

{{fs player|no=35|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Nathan Robinson}}

{{fs player|no=36|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Joe Collins}}

{{fs end}}

{{Main|List of Crewe Alexandra F.C. players}}

In 2004 the BBC's Football Focus asked fans of all professional football clubs in England and Scotland to vote for their cult hero. For Crewe, Seth Johnson won with 59% of the vote; Danny Murphy came second with 33%, and Craig Hignett third with 8%.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/4099295.stm Crewe's Cult Heroes]. Accessed 5 March 2014.

William Bell was the first Crewe player to win an international cap, playing for Wales against Ireland in Wrexham in February 1886. On 15 March 1890, three Crewe players – Alfred Davies (also Wales captain), Dick Jones and Billy Lewis – played in Wales's 3–1 defeat by England in Wrexham;{{cite web |title=Wales vs England international football match report |url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=4384 |website=EU Football.Info |access-date=28 March 2021}} Lewis scored Wales's goal,{{cite web |title=Billy Lewis |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=12145 |website=EU Football.Info |access-date=28 March 2021}} the first international goal scored by a Crewe player. John 'Jackie' Pearson became the first Crewe player to win an international cap for England, playing against Ireland in Belfast on 5 March 1892.{{cite book | title= Association Football in Victorian England – A History of the Game from 1863 to 1900|last= Gibbons|first= Philip |year= 2001|publisher= Upfront Publishing|isbn=1-84426-035-6|page=188}}{{Cite web| title= Ireland 0 England 2 (Match summary) | url= http://www.englandstats.com/matchreport.php?mid=45| publisher= www.englandstats.com| date= 5 March 1892| access-date=7 March 2009}} He remains the only Crewe player capped for England while playing at the club. Donervon Daniels was the most recent Crewe player to win a full international cap; he played for Montserrat in their FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier against US Virgin Islands on 2 June 2021.

{{Main|List of Crewe Alexandra F.C. managers}}

File:Lee Bell.jpg, current manager of Crewe Alexandra, applauding travelling supporters at Sutton United on 4 March 2023.]]

Since 1892, 29 men have managed Crewe. Dario Gradi holds the record for the most games: 1,359 first team games.{{cite web |title=Crewe Alexandra managers |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=652&teamTabs=managers |website=Soccerbase |access-date=14 August 2023}} Two Crewe managers have been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame: Gradi in 2004{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame: Dario Gradi|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/dario-gradi|website=National Football Museum|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301012715/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/dario-gradi|url-status=dead}} and Harry Catterick, posthumously, in 2010.{{cite news |title=Everton FC legend Harry Catterick will gain Hall of Fame recognition at last |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-legend-harry-catterick-3399946 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=26 August 2010}}

As of 25 January 2025. Only competitive matches are counted.

¹As secretary-manager

²A railway clerk, John Bradburn Blomerley (also among the club's first directors in 1899, and, in 1902, chairman of the Cheshire F.A.){{cite news |title=Football: Chester and District Association Annual Dinner |url=https://papuraunewydd.llyfrgell.cymru/view/4281425/4281427 |access-date=22 September 2021 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=June 14, 1902}} was secretary-manager to 1911; honorary secretary to 1925

³As sole manager. Between 22 September and 17 October 2003, Gradi underwent heart surgery. Assistant manager Neil Baker took charge of the team for this period (P6, W0, D1, L5).

⁴As technical director

⁵As first team coach

⁶As caretaker manager

{{updated|11 August 2023.}}

League

• Second Division (level 3){{efn|name=Tiers|Upon its formation in 1992, the Premier League became the top tier of English football; the Football League First, Second and Third Divisions then became the second, third and fourth tiers, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/History/HistoryDetail/0,,10794~1357277,00.html|title=History Of The Football League|publisher=The Football League|date=22 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202161656/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/History/HistoryDetail/0%2C%2C10794~1357277%2C00.html|archive-date=2 February 2013}} From 2004, the First Division became the Championship, the Second Division became League One and the Third Division became League Two.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3795239.stm|title=League gets revamp|website=BBC Sport|date=10 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729210603/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3795239.stm|archive-date=29 July 2020|access-date=18 June 2020}}}}
• 2nd place promotion: 2002–03
• Play-off winners: 1997
• Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (level 4){{efn|name=Tiers}}
• 2nd place promotion: 2019–20
• 3rd place promotion: 1962–63, 1993–94Crisp, pp.134–138.
• 4th place promotion: 1967–68, 1988–89
• Play-off winners: 2012

Cup

• Football League Trophy
• Winners: 2012–13
• Welsh Cup
• Winners: 1935–36, 1936–37

Crewe Alexandra have never won a division title, and have only been division runners-up twice. In addition to play-off promotions, the club also achieved four promotions, all from the fourth tier, by third-place finishes in 1962–63 and 1993–94Crisp, pp.134–138. and by fourth-place finishes in 1967–68 and 1988–89. Crewe's highest finishing league position was 11th in the second tier, the First Division in 1997–98.

In the major cup competitions, Crewe reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1888. They have reached the third round of the League Cup ten times (1960, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008),Crisp (for years 1960–1992), pp.92, 106, 107, 110 and 124. losing 1–0 to Aston Villa in a replay at Villa Park in 1974,{{cite web |last1=Northam |first1=Randall |title=League cup winner comes so late Hamilton puts Villa through |url=https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/16-10-1974-villa-v-crewe |website=Aston Villa History |access-date=29 March 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and taking cup holders Manchester United into extra time at Gresty Road in 2006 before losing 2–1.{{cite news |title=Crewe 1–2 Man Utd (aet) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6072610.stm |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 October 2006}}

While Crewe is not in Wales, English clubs, usually from border areas, have participated by invitation in the Welsh Cup, which Crewe won twice, in 1936 and 1937. The club won the Cheshire Senior Cup 19 times up to 1998, and have won it a further three times, most recently in 2017.{{cite web |title=Cheshire Cup Final: Crewe 3–2 Nantwich (5 April 2017) |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2017/april/cheshire-cup-final-crewe-3-2-nantwich/ |website=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |access-date=29 March 2021}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|last1=Crisp|first1=Marco|title=Crewe Alexandra Match by Match|date=1998|publisher=Tony Brown|location=Nottingham|isbn=1-899468-81-1|edition=2nd}}
• {{cite book|last1=Hornbrook|first1=Jules|title=The Gradi Years|date=2000|location=Crewe|isbn=0953887707}}
• {{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=Charlie|title=Generation Game|date=2019|publisher=Goldford|isbn=978-1-9160314-0-1}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{BBC Football Info|BBClinkname=crewe-alexandra}}

{{Crewe Alexandra F.C.}}

{{EFL Championship}}

{{EFL League One}}

{{EFL League Two}}

Category:Football clubs in England

Category:Football clubs in Cheshire

Category:Association football clubs established in 1877

Category:1877 establishments in England

Category:Crewe

Category:English Football League clubs

Category:The Combination

Category:Lancashire League (football)

Category:West Midlands (Regional) League

Category:The Central League

Category:EFL Trophy winners

Category:Welsh Cup winners