- Year Founded: 1877
- Nickname: The Railwaymen
- Honours: Football League Trophy: 2012-13
Crewe Alexandra were founded in 1877, as they look to create a separate organisation to Crewe Cricket Club. They got the name of ‘Alexandra’ from Princess Alexandra, who was wife of King Edward VII.
They entered the Football Alliance in 1889, before becoming founding members of the Football League’s Second Division.
Despite being founding members, Crewe failed their re-election after finishing rock bottom during the 1895-96 season. After spending many years in more local leagues, Crewe Alexandra finally returned to the Football League in 1921, as they were invited into the Third Division North.
After spending a lot of their history in the Third and Fourth Division, the Railwaymen found themselves in the Championship after the Football League reform in 2004. After two seasons in the Championship, they were relegated to League One in 2006 and League Two in 2009.
After once again returning to League One, Crewe managed to win their first major trophy in their history, as they beat Southend United 2-0 at Wembley in the EFL Trophy Final.
Today, Crewe find themselves back in League one, and despite a few disappointing seasons of late, they are looking a strong outfit this season, with automatic promotion the primary aim, as they look to return to their former glory days of playing in the Championship.
Exeter 1 – Northampton 2 | EFL Trophy 🏆
Keith Curle made six changes for the Papa John’s Trophy second round tie at Exeter City with Jonathan Mitchell, Joe Martin, Chris Lines, Ryan Watson, Morgan Roberts and Danny Rose all coming into the side. Despite being sent off at the weekend, Shaun McWilliams was eligible to play with his three-match ban only encompassing league matches. Academy players, goalkeeper Dylan Berry, midfielder Liam Cross and defender Max Dyche, were named on the bench.
Nicky Law went close with a strike from the edge of the area following a swift counter-attack from the home side in a largely uneventful opening twenty minutes.
The Cobblers made the breakthrough midway through the first half, a Morgan Roberts corner perfectly met by the head of Danny Rose.
Jack Sparkes saw a shot deflected wide as Exeter responded to falling behind but the Cobblers could have doubled their lead through Joe Martin, the defender unable to find the target after Jonny Maxted could only parry a cross/shot from goalscorer Rose.
Exeter equalised early in the second half, Nigel Atangana finishing on the follow-up after Jonathan Mitchell couldn’t hold on to the initial header. Ricky Korboa and Benny Ashley-Seal then replaced Mark Marshall and Harry Smith in a double change.
Nicky Ajose, having just come off the bench, had a chance to put the Grecians in front but having been put through one-on-one Mitchell got down well to make the save. Mitchell then made another good save this time to deny Nicky Law who was also one-on-one with the Cobblers keeper.
Caleb Chukwuemeka replaced Morgan Roberts in the Cobblers final change with the game still delicately poised and the possibility of penalties looming if neither side could find a winner.
Alex Fisher headed wide from an Ajose cross as Exeter probed but Benny Ashley-Seal put the Cobblers back in front with a terrific finish after latching onto a through ball from Michael Harriman, Ashley-Seal showing real strength to bring the ball down before unleashing a shot on the turn to beat Maxted.
That proved to be the winner as the Cobblers ensured their interest in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy would go into the New Year.
Hull 0 – Crewe 0 3-2 penalty win
Goalless after 90 minutes, Crewe miss three in the shoot-out as Richards saves two.
Another tight affair between Hull City and Crewe Alexandra had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out at the KCOM Stadium. Crewe missed three of theirs and despite Dave Richards saving twice himself, it was Hull holding their nerve to win 3-2. Hakeeb Adelakun slotted home the winner for the Tigers.
Northampton scored six at Sixfields for the first time as Crewe were beaten.
Ajay Leitch-Smith’s shot squirmed in to put the Alex ahead but Shaun Harrad poked in from close range and a Michael Jacobs free-kick turned it around.
Crewe’s Ashley Westwood had a penalty saved before Dean Beckwith headed home, Andy Holt fired in and Abdul Osman struck from long range.
Billy McKay capitalised on David Artell’s error for 6-1, while Antoni Sarcevic pulled one back from 18 yards.
Games won: 29
Games drawn: 16
Games lost: 24
Crewe Alexandra announced David Artell on January 8th 2017 as their new manager after Steve Davis was relieved of his duties. Artell took control of the first-team with immediate effect.
As a former defender with Crewe Alexandra, Artell made 82 appearances, scoring six goals. He captained Crewe Alexandra to promotion to League One in 2012 via the play-offs. Crewe defeated Cheltenham 2-0 at Wembley in what proved to be Artell’s final appearance for the club, as he was not offered a new contract and he moved on to Port Vale and then Northampton before helping Wrexham to the Conference Play-Off Final but they lost 2-0 to Newport County.
During an 18-year playing career, Artell made 495 first team appearances for a total of 11 clubs. He won back to back promotions in his first two years at his home town club Rotherham United to reach the Championship and he also had spells with the likes of Shrewsbury, Chester, Mansfield and Morecambe.
Towards the end of his playing career, Artell was presented with the opportunity to play International football for Gibraltar and he faced the then World Champions Germany in a European Championship qualifying game. Artell made 7 appearances for Gibraltar before his retirement from football.
Artell embarked on a role within Crewe Alexandra’s Academy as operations manager before he succeeded Davis in the New Year of 2017. Artell led Crewe to safety in EFL League Two, finshing in 17th place on 55 points.
David also has a degree in forensic biology after he graduated from Chester University in 2010.
JOHN BUSBY
So far this season he’s been in charge of 14 games shown 35 yellow cards and 3 reds. His last Cobblers game was a 1-0 win at Macclesfield in February 2020.
Joe Clark and Ollie Williams
Fourth Official : Antony Coggins
Northampton Town travel to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday and you can purchase a match pass to watch the game live on iFollow.A match pass for this game costs just £10 for all UK based supporters and can be purchased here.
Fans overseas will be able to view on Season Passes or by purchasing a match pass.
