Crewe Sign Up Nine Scholars

Nine academy youngsters have put pen to paper on scholarships at the club this week, a new set of players looking to follow in the foot steps of the Dean Ashton's and Danny Murphy's.

Last season's under 16 side have been touted as the most talented the club has ever produced, and for us that is going some.

The likes of Max Clayton and Nick Powell are already well known to Alex fans following their performances for the England U-16s this past year - along with the endless rumours of interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal - and the teenage pair join seven team mates in securing their future with the club.

The other scholars include defenders George Ray, Joe Guest, Ryan Hughes, Paris Bateman and goalkeeper Ben Garratt as well as midfielders Brendan Daniels and Chris Peach.

Whilst the likes of Powell and Clayton are already having their first team prospects discussed by Dario, academy coach James Collins says that the worst thing the youngsters can do is get ahead of themselves.

Speaking to crewechronicle.co.uk, Collins said:

"They are in trouble if they think they have already cracked it. I`ve seen plenty of outstanding 16-year-olds fall by the wayside because they think they have already made it.

"Complacency is perhaps their biggest enemy now and that must not be ignored.

"But it`s fair to say this is as good a group as we`ve ever had. Often there are weaker members but that`s not the case in this instance.'

And whilst Collins will keep the youngsters feet on the ground, fans will be looking forward to hopefully seeing another Dean Ashton or three in the coming years.

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