Football Season Guide

There is cause for cautious optimism for Crewe Alexandra despite a disappointing end to the last campaign. Lee Bell reenergized his side following two desperate seasons, building a squad capable of challenging for promotion. They successfully sealed a play-off place and beat a resurgent Doncaster Rovers before being beaten by an unstoppable Crawley Town side in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. It felt like one step-too far on the day and it gives Bell the chance to build on the work he’s done so far and go one better this time around. Sadly, as is often the case at this level, his best players have moved up this summer. They did receive a good fee from Peterborough United for full-back Rio Adebisi but the departure of centre-back Luke Offord is a blow. Strikers Courtney Baker-Richardson and Elliot Nevitt have both opted to leave and have been replaced by the experienced Kane Hemmings and Omar Bogle. More exciting is the capture of Fin Roberts, a striker who was bagging the goals for Beckenham Town last season. Midfielder Max Sanders was surprising allowed to leave Leyton Orient whilst Filip Marschall will compete with academy graduate Tom Booth for the No. 1 jersey. The return of midfield playmaker Jack Powell, who missed a large part of last season through injury, will be a huge boost for Bell, who is likely to build the side around him. The Railwaymen are of course renowned for their ability to bring talented youngsters through their youth system, they are the only non-Premier League club in the top 10 academies in the country, and the latest crop is no different. This could be breakthrough seasons for full-back Lucas Sant and midfielder Matus Holicek.