# 2023–24 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season

The 2023–24 season is the 147th season in the history of Crewe Alexandra and their second consecutive season in League Two. The club are participating in League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

## Current squad

    As of 28 March 2024
| No. | Name | Position | Place of birth | Date of birth (Age) | Previous club | Date signed | Fee | Contract end |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 1 | Harvey Davies | GK | Liverpool | (2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21) | Liverpool | 1 July 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 13 | Tom Booth | GK | Crewe | (2004-08-02) 2 August 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 27 | Keiren Westwood | GK | Manchester | (1984-10-23) 23 October 1984 (age 40) | Queens Park Rangers | 8 February 2024 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 40 | Mikolaj Lenarcik | GK | | | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | Ryan Cooney | RB | Manchester | (2000-02-26) 26 February 2000 (age 24) | Morecambe | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 3 | Rio Adebisi | LB | Croydon | (2000-09-27) 27 September 2000 (age 24) | Academy | 1 July 2019 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 4 | Zac Williams | CB | Rhyl | (2004-03-27) 27 March 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 5 | Mickey Demetriou | CB | Durrington | (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 (age 34) | Newport County | 21 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 6 | Luke Offord | CB | Northwich | (1999-11-19) 19 November 1999 (age 25) | Academy | 1 July 2019 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 12 | Ed Turns | CB | Brighton | (2002-10-18) 18 October 2002 (age 22) | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 February 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 21 | Aaron Rowe | RB | Hackney | (2000-09-07) 7 September 2000 (age 24) | Huddersfield Town | 30 August 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 28 | Lewis Billington | CB | Crewe | (2004-02-17) 17 February 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 29 | Zak Kempster-Down | CB | | (2004-09-16) 16 September 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 35 | Nathan Robinson | CB | | (2006-02-04) 4 February 2006 (age 18) | Academy | 5 September 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 38 | Lucas Sant | CB | Stoke-on-Trent | (2006-02-07) 7 February 2006 (age 18) | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 41 | Stan Dancey | CB | | | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 8 | Conor Thomas | DM | Coventry | (1993-10-29) 29 October 1993 (age 31) | Cheltenham Town | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 11 | Joel Tabiner | CM | Liverpool | (2003-11-30) 30 November 2003 (age 21) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2026 |
| 14 | Lewis Leigh | CM | Preston | (2003-12-05) 5 December 2003 (age 21) | Preston North End | 8 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 17 | Matúš Holíček | CM | | (2005-01-25) 25 January 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2021 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 19 | Owen Lunt | DM | Prescot | (2004-09-02) 2 September 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 23 | Jack Powell | CM | Canning Town | (1994-01-29) 29 January 1994 (age 30) | Crawley Town | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 24 | Charlie Finney | CM | Crewe | (2003-10-28) 28 October 2003 (age 21) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 25 | Josh Austerfield | CM | Morley | (2001-11-02) 2 November 2001 (age 23) | Huddersfield Town | 18 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 34 | Lewis Nolan | CM | | (2005-09-06) 6 September 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 5 September 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 37 | Matt Senior | CM | | (2005-09-03) 3 September 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| — | Joe Collins | CM | | | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 7 | Chris Long | CF | Huyton | (1995-02-25) 25 February 1995 (age 29) | Motherwell | 1 July 2021 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 9 | Courtney Baker-Richardson | CF | Coventry | (1995-12-05) 5 December 1995 (age 29) | Newport County | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 10 | Shilow Tracey | RW | Newham | (1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 (age 26) | Cambridge United | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 20 | Elliott Nevitt | CF | Liverpool | (1996-10-30) 30 October 1996 (age 28) | Tranmere Rovers | 11 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 |
| 30 | Charlie Kirk | LW | Winsford | (1997-12-24) 24 December 1997 (age 26) | Charlton Athletic | 2 February 2024 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 32 | Max Woodcock | CF | Congleton | (2005-07-29) 29 July 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 33 | Calum Agius | LW | Ellesmere Port | (2005-09-05) 5 September 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2026 |
| 36 | Rhys Allport | CF | | (2006-08-02) 2 August 2006 (age 18) | Academy | 20 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Out on Loan ||||||||||
| 16 | Charlie Colkett | CM | Newham | (1996-09-04) 4 September 1996 (age 28) | Cheltenham Town | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 22 | Billy Sass-Davies | CB | Abergele | (2000-02-17) 17 February 2000 (age 24) | Academy | 1 July 2018 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 31 | Dave Richards | GK | Abergavenny | (1993-12-31) 31 December 1993 (age 30) | Bristol City | 28 July 2015 | Free | 30 June 2024 |

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred from | Fee |
| 1 July 2023 | RB | Ryan Cooney | Morecambe | Free Transfer |
| 1 July 2023 | CM | Jack Powell | Crawley Town | Free Transfer |
| 1 July 2023 | RW | Shilow Tracey | Cambridge United | Free Transfer |
| 21 July 2023 | CB | Mickey Demetriou | Newport County | Free Transfer |
| 2 February 2024 | LW | Charlie Kirk | Charlton Athletic | Free Transfer |
| 8 February 2024 | GK | Keiren Westwood | Free agent | — |

### Out

| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred to | Fee |
| 8 June 2023 | CF | Bassala Sambou | Enosis Neon Paralimni | Mutual Consent |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Dan Agyei | Leyton Orient | Free Transfer |
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Callum Ainley | Grimsby Town | End of Contract |
| 30 June 2023 | RW | David Amoo | Ebbsfleet United | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Sean Lawton | Free agent | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Rod McDonald | Harrogate Town | End of Contract |
| 30 June 2023 | RB | Kelvin Mellor | Accrington Stanley | End of Contract |
| 30 June 2023 | LM | Tariq Uwakwe | Swindon Town | Mutual Consent |
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Ty Webster | AFC Telford United | Free Transfer |
| 22 August 2023 | GK | Jack Flint | Bolton Wanderers | Free Transfer |
| 10 January 2024 | CM | Regan Griffiths | Kidderminster Harriers | Mutual Consent |
| 24 January 2024 | CB | Connor O'Riordan | Blackburn Rovers | Undisclosed |
| 22 February 2024 | CF | Connor Evans | Waterford | Free Transfer |

### Loaned in

| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned from | Until |
| 1 July 2023 | GK | Harvey Davies | Liverpool | End of Season |
| 30 August 2023 | RB | Aaron Rowe | Huddersfield Town | End of Season |
| 31 August 2023 | AM | Joe White | Newcastle United | 14 January 2024 |
| 8 January 2024 | CM | Lewis Leigh | Preston North End | End of Season |
| 18 January 2024 | CM | Josh Austerfield | Huddersfield Town | End of Season |
| 1 February 2024 | CB | Ed Turns | Brighton & Hove Albion | End of Season |
| 13 April 2024 | GK | Max Stryjek | Wycombe Wanderers | 20 April 2024 |

### Loaned out

| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned to | Until |
| 11 August 2023 | GK | Dave Richards | St Johnstone | End of Season |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Connor Evans | Chester | 25 November 2023 |
| 25 August 2023 | CB | Zak Kempster-Down | Bamber Bridge | 23 January 2024 |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Max Woodcock | Runcorn Linnets | 24 September 2023 |
| 1 September 2023 | CM | Regan Griffiths | Boreham Wood | 11 January 2024 |
| 1 September 2023 | CB | Billy Sass-Davies | Boreham Wood | End of Season |
| 24 November 2023 | CF | Connor Evans | Marine | 23 December 2023 |
| 31 January 2024 | CM | Charlie Colkett | Notts County | End of Season |
* ↑ On 29 January, Sass-Davies' loan at Boreham Wood was extended until the end of season.

## Pre-season and friendlies

On 7 June, Crewe announced their pre-season schedule with matches against Halesowen Town, Whitchurch Alport, Burton Albion, Vauxhall Motors, Lincoln City and Barnsley.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

## Competitions
### Overall record

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| League Two | 5 August | 27 April | Matchday 1 | 6th | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 69 | 65 | +4 | 041.30 |
| FA Cup | 5 November | 12 December | First round | Second round | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | +0 | 033.33 |
| EFL Cup | 8 August | 29 August | First round | Second round | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 000.00 |
| EFL Trophy | 5 September | 21 November | Group stage | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 033.33 |
| Play-offs | 6 May 2024 | 19 May 2024 | Semi-final | Final | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 033.33 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 57 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 81 | 82 | −1 | 038.60 |
Last updated: 20 May 2024 Source: Soccerway

### League Two
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 3 | Mansfield Town (P) | 46 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 90 | 47 | +43 | 86 | Promoted to EFL League One |
| 4 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 83 | 68 | +15 | 78 | Qualified for League Two play-offs |
| 5 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 73 | 68 | +5 | 71 | Qualified for League Two play-offs |
| 6 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 69 | 65 | +4 | 71 | Qualified for League Two play-offs |
| 7 | Crawley Town (O, P) | 46 | 21 | 7 | 18 | 73 | 67 | +6 | 70 | Qualified for League Two play-offs |
| 8 | Barrow | 46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 62 | 56 | +6 | 69 | |
| 9 | Bradford City | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 61 | 59 | +2 | 69 | |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 13 May 2024. Source: Soccerway

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 18$^1$ | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A |
| Result | D | D | W | D | L | W | W | D | W | D | W | L | W | W | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | L | L | D | W | W | W | W | L | D | W | W | D | W | L | L | W | L | D | D | L | D | W | L | L | D |
| Position | 10 | 16 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Points | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 38 | 41 | 44 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 58 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 64 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 71 |
* $^1$ Matchday 18 (vs Morecambe) was postponed due to the international call-ups.

#### Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

#### Play-offs

Crewe finished 6th in the regular 2023–24 EFL League Two season, so were drawn against 5th placed Doncaster Rovers in the Play-off Semi-Final. The first leg, which Doncaster won 2–0, took place at Gresty Road and the second leg took place at the Eco-Power Stadium. Crewe won the second leg 2–0, making the aggregate score 2–2, and then won a penalty shoot-out 4–3 to reach the final for promotion to EFL League One. Crewe lost the final at Wembley, beaten 2-0 by Crawley Town.

### FA Cup

Crewe were drawn at home to Derby County in the first round.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### EFL Cup

Crewe were drawn away to Sunderland in the first round and to Port Vale in the second round.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### EFL Trophy

In the group stage, Crewe were drawn into Northern Group B alongside Port Vale, Wrexham and Newcastle United U21.
| Pos | Div | Teamvte | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | L2 | Wrexham | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Port Vale | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 3 | L2 | Crewe Alexandra | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 3 | |
| 4 | ACA | Newcastle United U21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | |
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures