We continue our summer focus on the new clubs joining us in League Two for 2022/23 with a trip to Cheshire and a closer look at The Railwaymen.
How did they get here?
Crewe Alexandra became the first club in the country to be relegated in 2021/22 when their fate was sealed following a defeat to fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers in the second week of April.
During a difficult campaign, Alex tasted league victory just seven times and lost 17 of their last 20 League One games as the slipped back to the fourth tier after two seasons at the higher level.
It proved a challenging year to be a Crewe supporter, but the club did have some joy in the Papa John’s Trophy, winning all three of their group games before being knocked out in the last 16 by Rotherham United.
Victory over Lincoln City at the start of December and a battling win at Morecambe just after Christmas lifted hopes, but Alex won just three more games after the New Year and were relegated on just 29 points.
Who’s in charge?
Alex Morris was appointed as the new boss of Crewe Alexandra at the end of April after the club opted to part ways with previous boss Dave Artell following confirmation of relegation to League Two.
A graduate of Alex’s famed Academy, Morris’ playing career was hampered by a succession of injuries and he was ultimately forced into early retirement in 2006 at which point he turned his attention to coaching.
He became manager of Crewe’s Under-18s and guided them to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2015, beating Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers and Fulham before eventually falling to Manchester City.
Former Alex boss Dave Artell promoted him to the senior staff at the start of 2017 and he guided the Reserves to the Cheshire Senior Cup later that year before stepping up to Assistant Manager earlier this year.
Where do they play?
The Mornflake Stadium (also known as Alexandra Stadium or Gresty Road) is home to Crewe Alexandra and has been since way back in 1906 when it was first built.
It currently boasts an all-seated capacity of just over 10,000 and the Pop Side is where visiting supporters are usually based where there is room for up to 1,680.
When did we last meet?
Our meeting with Crewe Alexandra in 2022/23 will be the first time the two clubs have played each other since Barrow’s final season of their first stint in the Football League back in 1971/72.
In that year, both sides won their home games as Barrow ran out 2-1 victors at Holker Street in August 1971 before Alex triumphed 1-0 when The Bluebirds made the trip to Cheshire in March 1972.