Crewe Set For Free Europe Trip

Crewe Alexandra could be given a free trip to Bulgaria thanks to the owner of FC Maritsa Plovdiv. The owner of FC Maritsa is said to be such a keen Crewe Alex fan that he will be funding the pre-season trip in July.

The Alex are also set to play FC Maritsa in a friendly in their 8,000 seater ground.

Steve Holland told BBC Radio Stoke: 'It's not something I would have done, but the opportunity has presented itself to us.

'I'm flying out there to check the facilities are up to scratch. He's offered us the chance to bring a squad of players out, and he would look after us while we were there.'

The Alex have previously played away in Ireland and Malta during pre-season, and recently spent a couple of summers in the Algarve training.

The Alex though could be welcomed in Bulgaria by a small group of resident Crewe fans over there.

FC Maritsa were founded in 1921 and are proud of their history which saw former Barcelona striker and Bulgaria National Team manager Hristo Stoichkov come through their rank.

Vital Crewe would be interested to hear from any Bulgarian Alex fans and on how the Alex found fame in Bulgaria. Either email crewe@vitalfootball.co.uk or register on our message board.