Crewe Confirm Academy Signings

Crewe have signed up five youngsters on scholarships, including the well talked about Max Clayton.

George Ray, Max Clayton, Ben Garratt, Brendan Daniels and Nick Powell have all signed two year scholarships with the club, with each of them turning professional once they turn 17.

Much has been made of the under 16 age group since Dario accused a Premiership club of attempting to poach striker Max Clayton - son of former Alex player Paul Clayton - last year. It comes as a relief to the club that they have not only secured the future of Clayton but also many of his team mates.

Clayton is of course joined by England U-16 team mate Nick Powell. Powell, a midfielder, has been on international duty with Clayton for the last week helping England U-16s to the final of the Montaigu Tournament. Whilst England eventually lost out to Portugal in the final both Clayton and Powell got on the score sheet during the tournament.

Other youngsters to have signed scholarships are central defender George Ray, striker Brendan Daniels and goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

All five will now be looking to follow in the foot steps of so many others from the Crewe academy and pull on that red and white shirt of the Alex.

Manager Dario Gradi says there's nothing stopping any of them, as long as they put in the work:

'They all have the potential to progress as footballers and play in our first-team. The most important thing is that they settle into their scholarships and work as hard as they can.

'They are all good footballers capable of pushing for a first-team place in the future but they will have to stay focussed and develop physically first.'

So congratulations to all five of the youngsters from Vital Crewe. Here's to some long and successful Alex careers!

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