# 2007–08 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season

The 2007–08 season of Crewe Alexandra Football Club's 84th competitive season. They competed in Football League One.

## Events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2007–08 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers (which are listed in the transfers section below), match results (which are in the matches section) or awards (which are in the awards section).

### 2007

* 20 April: Dario Gradi announces that as from 1 July, would take up a new role as the club's Technical Director whilst gradually allowing first-team coach Steve Holland control of the team.
* 18 June: Crewe win the Bobby Moore Fair Play award for their outstanding conduct and discipline throughout the 2006/07 season.
* 11 August: The opening day of the season sees young striker Nicky Maynard fracture his fibula. He was diagnosed to be out for 3–4 months. Maynard returned as a 46th-minute substitute 112 days later in the FA Cup. 11 August: Crewe end the day top of the league after their 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
* 15 August: Crewe are eliminated from the Carling Cup by Championship side Hull City after a 3–0 loss at home.
* 25 August: Crewe drop out of the play-off zone after a 2–0 loss to Leyton Orient.
* 4 September: Crewe are eliminated from the Johnstone's Paint Trophy by Cheshire-neighbours Chester City after a penalty shootout defeat in the First round
* 1 December: Crewe are eliminated from the FA Cup by League One side Oldham Athletic away from home. This result means that Crewe are eliminated from all cup competitions for the 2007–08 season.
* 3 December: Sky Sports confirm that Crewe's home tie with Leeds United will be shown live on TV. The kickoff was changed to 19:45 GMT on Monday 14 January 2008. Crewe lost the match 1–0.

### 2008

* 29 January: Crewe enter the relegation zone in League One after a 1–1 draw with Bristol Rovers.
* 9 February: Crewe climb out the relegation zone to 20th after a 2–2 draw with top-of-the-table Swansea City.
* 26 March: Michael O'Connor makes his senior international debut for Northern Ireland in a 4–1 win against Georgia.

## Players
### Squad information

| N | Pos. | Name | Age | EU | Since | App | Goals | Ends | Transfer fee | Notes |
| 1 | GK | Williams | 24 | EU | 2004 | 90 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Free | |
| 2 | DF | Woodards | 23 | EU | 2007 | 12 | 0 | 30 June 2010 | £30,000 | |
| 3 | DF | B. Jones | 24 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2010 | £65,000 | |
| 4 | MF | Roberts | 20 | EU | 2004 | 81 | 7 | 30 June 2009 | Youth system | |
| 5 | DF | Cox (captain) | 35 | EU | 2006 | 32 | 1 | 30 June 2008 | Free | |
| 6 | DF | Baudet (VC) | 28 | EU | 2006 | 43 | 1 | 30 June 2009 | Free | |
| 7 | MF | Schumacher | 23 | EU | 2007 | 1 | 0 | 30 June 2010 | Free | |
| 8 | MF | O'Connor | 19 | EU | 2005 | 30 | 0 | 30 June 2009 | Youth system | |
| 9 | FW | Maynard | 20 | EU | 2005 | 33 | 17 | 30 June 2010 | Youth system | |
| 10 | MF | Bopp | 23 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2010 | Free | |
| 12 | MF | Rix | 23 | EU | 2001 | 103 | 4 | 30 June 2009 | Youth system | |
| 13 | GK | Tomlinson | 22 | EU | 2001 | 11 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Youth system | On loan at Burton Albion until 21 March 2008 |
| 14 | DF | McCready | 25 | EU | 2007 | 61 | 17 | 30 June 2009 | Free | |
| 15 | FW | Pope | 21 | EU | 2005 | 6 | 1 | 30 June 2009 | Free | |
| 16 | FW | Lowe | 28 | EU | 2006 | 31 | 7 | 30 June 2009 | Free | |
| 17 | MF | Carrington | 20 | EU | 2005 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2009 | Youth system | |
| 18 | FW | Moore | 18 | EU | 2007 | 1 | 0 | 30 June 2010 | Youth system | |
| 19 | FW | Miller | 19 | EU | 2006 | 11 | 3 | 30 June 2009 | Youth system | |
| 20 | DF | M Bailey | 21 | EU | 2005 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Free | |
| 21 | GK | Fôn Williams | 20 | EU | 2006 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Youth system | |
| 22 | DF | Daniel | 19 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2009 | Free | |
| 23 | DF | O'Donnell | 21 | EU | 2007 | 25 | 1 | 30 June 2010 | Free | |
| 24 | FW | Farquharson | 18 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Youth system | On loan at Nantwich Town until 28 March 2008 |
| 25 | MF | J Bailey | 18 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Youth system | |
| 26 | FW | Brown | 18 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Youth system | On loan at Kidsgrove Athletic until January 2008 |
| 28 | DF | Abbey | 28 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Free | |
| 29 | DF | Lynch | 20 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 30 June 2008 | Free | |
| 30 | DF | Boyle | 20 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 21 February 2008 | Loan | On loan from Everton |
| 32 | MF | G. M. Roberts | 23 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 12 March 2008 | Loan | On loan from Ipswich Town |
| 34 | MF | Lunt | 27 | EU | 2007 | 0 | 0 | 19 March 2008 | Loan | On loan from Sheffield Wednesday |
* Last updated: 12 February 2008 (all stats except appearances and goals)
* Source: Wikipedia players' articles, Crewe Alexandra, crewe-mad
* Ordered by Squad Number.
* Player must own an EU passport or be a full, current, 'A' international to legally play in English football. (Source)
* Squad size is unlimited.
Appearances (starts and substitute appearances) and goals include those in the League One (and playoffs), FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy.

### Squad stats

| | | | | Total | Total | Total | Football League One | Football League One | FA Cup | FA Cup | Football League Cup | Football League Cup | Johnstone's Paint Trophy | Johnstone's Paint Trophy | Notes |
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Sts | App | Gls | App | Gls | App | Gls | App | Gls | App | Gls | Notes |
| 1 | GK | | Williams | 43 | 43 | | 40 | | 2 | | 1 | | | | |
| 2 | DF | | Woodards | 38 | 38 | | 34 | | 2 | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 3 | DF | | Jones | 25 | 25 | | 21 | | 2 | | 1 | | 1 | | Knee injury (requires surgery) – back in training |
| 4 | MF | | G. S. Roberts | 36 | 38 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 2 | | 1 | | | | |
| 5 | DF | | Cox | 23 | 29 | 1 | 27 | | 2 | 1 | | | | | |
| 6 | DF | | Baudet | 33 | 33 | 1 | 30 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 7 | MF | | Schumacher | 21 | 24 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 8 | MF | | O'Connor | 16 | 21 | | 21 | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | FW | | Maynard | 19 | 22 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 1 | | | | | | |
| 10 | MF | | Bopp | 6 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 1 | | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 11 | MF | | Vaughan | | 1 | | 1 | | | | | | | | Transferred to Real Sociedad on 23 August 2007 |
| 12 | MF | | Rix | 25 | 30 | | 26 | | 2 | | 1 | | 1 | | Hip (requires surgery) – expected back start 2008–09 season |
| 13 | GK | | Tomlinson | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | 1 | | Cruciate ligament – expected back 2009 |
| 14 | DF | | McCready | 30 | 31 | 2 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | | | |
| 15 | FW | | Pope | 14 | 24 | 6 | 22 | 6 | | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 16 | FW | | Lowe | 19 | 31 | 5 | 28 | 4 | 2 | | | | 1 | 1 | |
| 17 | MF | | Carrington | 2 | 7 | | 5 | | | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 18 | FW | | Moore | 27 | 33 | 2 | 30 | 2 | 2 | | 1 | | | | |
| 19 | FW | | Miller | 7 | 18 | 1 | 16 | 1 | | | 1 | | 1 | | |
| 20 | DF | | Bailey | 1 | 3 | | 2 | | 1 | | | | | | |
| 21 | GK | | Fôn Williams | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 22 | DF | | Daniel | | 1 | | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| 23 | DF | | O'Donnell | 18 | 24 | 1 | 23 | 1 | | | | | 1 | | |
| 24 | FW | | Farquharson | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
| 25 | MF | | Bailey | | 1 | | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| 26 | FW | | Brown | | 1 | | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| 27 | DF | | Dugdale | | | | | | | | | | | | Transferred to Droylsden on 26 December 2007 |
| 28 | DF | | Abbey | 14 | 17 | | 17 | | | | | | | | |
| 29 | DF | | Lynch | 1 | 3 | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | |
| 30 | FW | | Barnard | 9 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 3 | | | | | | | On loan between 30 Aug and 3 Jan from Tottenham Hotspur |
| 30 | DF | | Boyle | 14 | 14 | | 14 | | | | | | | | On loan from 21 Jan from Everton |
| 31 | FW | | Dickson | 2 | 3 | | 3 | | | | | | | | On loan between 15 Aug and 13 Sep from Charlton |
| 31 | FW | | Church | 13 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2 | | | | | | On loan between 19 Oct and 28 Jan from Reading |
| 32 | MF | | Bennett | 4 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 2 | | | | | | On loan between 26 Oct and 3 Jan from Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 32 | MF | | G. M. Roberts | 4 | 4 | | 4 | | | | | | | | On loan from 12 Feb from Ipswich Town |
| 33 | FW | | Baseya | 1 | 4 | | 3 | | 1 | | | | | | On loan between 16 Nov and 19 Dec from Southampton |
| 34 | DF | | Gray | 2 | 2 | | 2 | | | | | | | | On loan between 23 Nov and 19 Dec from Manchester United |
| 34 | MF | | Lunt | 7 | 7 | | 7 | | | | | | | | On loan from 19 Feb from Sheffield Wednesday |
| 35 | MF | | Anyinsah | 2 | 4 | | 4 | | | | | | | | On loan from Preston North End |
| 36 | FW | | Morgan | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | | | | | | | On loan from Luton Town |

#### Disciplinary record

| N | Pos. | Name | | | | Notes |
| 4 | MF | G. S. Roberts | 4 | 1 | 0 | Conceded one penalty kick |
| 6 | DF | Baudet | 4 | 0 | 0 | Conceded one penalty kick |
| 30 | DF | Boyle | 2 | 0 | 0 | On loan |
| 8 | MF | O'Connor | 2 | 0 | 0 | Conceded two penalty kicks |
| 12 | MF | Rix | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 30 | FW | Barnard | 1 | 0 | 0 | On loan |
| 32 | MF | Bennett | 1 | 0 | 0 | On loan |
| 34 | MF | Lunt | 1 | 0 | 0 | On loan |
| 29 | DF | Lynch | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | FW | Maynard | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | DF | McCready | 1 | 0 | 0 | Conceded two penalty kicks |
| 19 | FW | Miller | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | MF | Schumacher | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | GK | Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | Conceded one penalty kick |
| 2 | DF | Woodards | 1 | 0 | 0 | Conceded one penalty kick |
Last updated: 24 March 2008 Source: Crewe Alexandra Only competitive matches = Number of bookings; = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.
Crewe currently have the best disciplinary record in The Football League

#### Awards
##### Individual

| Date | N | P | Name | Award | Notes |
| 13 August 2007 | 4 | MF | G. S. Roberts | Team of the Week | Source |
| 20 August 2007 | 2 | DF | Woodards | Team of the Week | Source |
| 10 September 2007 | 10 | MF | Bopp | Team of the Week | Source |
| 24 September 2007 | 1 | GK | Williams | Team of the Week | Source |
| 1 October 2007 | 3 | DF | Jones | Team of the Week | Source |
| 22 October 2007 | 16 | FW | Lowe | Team of the Week | Source |
| 5 November 2007 | 18 | FW | Moore | Team of the Week | Source |
| 19 November 2007 | 2 | DF | Woodards | Team of the Week (2) | Source |
| 10 December 2007 | 2 | DF | Woodards | Team of the Week (3) | Source |
| 28 January 2008 | 1 | GK | Williams | Team of the Week (2) | Source |
| 3 March 2008 | 1 | GK | Williams | Team of the Week (3) | Source |
| 17 March 2008 | 8 | MF | O'Connor | Team of the Week | Source |

##### Club

| Date | Period | Award | Notes |
| 18 June | Season 2006/07 | Bobby Moore Fair Play award | |

### Players in / out
#### In

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | EU | Moving from | Type | Transfer window | Ends | Transfer fee | Source |
| 10 | MF | Bopp | 23 | EU | Rotherham United | Transferred Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 15 | FW | Pope | 21 | EU | | Youth team Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 17 | MF | Carrington | 20 | EU | | Youth team Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 21 | GK | Fôn Williams | 20 | EU | | Youth team Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 29 | DF | Lynch | 20 | EU | | Unattached Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 28 | DF | Abbey | 28 | EU | | Unattached Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 14 | DF | McCready | 25 | EU | | Unattached Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 3 | DF | Jones | 23 | EU | Exeter City | Transferred Y | Summer | | £65,000 | |
| 7 | MF | Schumacher | 23 | EU | Bradford City | Transferred Y | Summer | | Free | |
| 30 | FW | Barnard | 23 | EU | Tottenham Hotspur | Loan end | Summer | 3 January 2008 | Loan | |
| 31 | FW | Dickson | 22 | EU | Charlton Athletic | Loan end | Summer | 13 September 2007 | Loan | |
| 31 | FW | Church | 18 | EU | Reading | Loan end | Winter | 28 January 2008 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 32 | MF | Bennett | 18 | EU | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Loan end | Winter | 3 January 2008 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 33 | FW | Baseya | 19 | EU | Southampton | Loan end | Winter | 19 December 2007 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 34 | | Gray | 19 | EU | Manchester United | Loan end | Winter | 3 January 2008 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 30 | DF | Boyle | 20 | EU | Everton | Loan Y | Winter | 21 February 2008 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 32 | MF | G. M. Roberts | 23 | EU | Ipswich Town | Loan Y | Winter | 12 March 2008 | Loan | Crewe Alexandra |
| 34 | MF | Lunt | 28 | EU | Sheffield Wednesday | Loan Y | Winter | 19 March 2008 | Loan | |
| 35 | FW | Anyinsah | 23 | EU | Preston North End | Loan Y | Winter | | Loan | |
| 36 | MF | Morgan | 24 | EU | Luton Town | Loan Y | Winter | | Loan | |

#### Out

| N | Pos. | Name | Age | EU | Moving to | Type | Transfer window | Transfer fee | Source |
| 2 | FW | Otsemobor | 24 | EU | Norwich City | Transfer Y | Summer | Free | |
| 3 | DF | Jones | 20 | EU | Preston North End | Transfer Y | Summer | £500,000 | |
| 12 | FW | Varney | 24 | EU | Charlton Athletic | Transfer Y | Summer | £2,500,000 | |
| 11 | MF | Vaughan | 24 | EU | Real Sociedad | Transfer Y | Summer | £300,000 | Crewe Alexandra |
| 26 | MF | Brown | 19 | EU | Kidsgrove Athletic | Loan Y | Winter | Loan | |
| 24 | FW | Farquharson | 19 | EU | Northwich Victoria | Loan end | Winter | Loan | |
| 29 | DF | Lynch | 21 | EU | Stafford Rangers | Loan Y | Winter | Loan | |
| 22 | MF | Daniel | 19 | EU | Grays Athletic | Loan Y | Winter | Loan | |
| 27 | DF | Dugdale | 20 | EU | Droylsden | Free Y | Winter | Free | |
| 24 | FW | Farquharson | 19 | EU | Nantwich Town | Loan Y | Winter | Loan | |
| 13 | GK | Tomlinson | 22 | EU | Burton Albion | Loan Y | Winter | Loan | BBC Sport |
Last updated: 8 March 2008 EU = if holds or not a European Union passport; Country: when 2 flags, 1st flag = country that plays for internationally, 2nd flag = country of birth; N = number on jersey; P = Position (for position name, pause mouse pointer on abbreviation); Name = Name on jersey (for more extensive name, pause mouse pointer on name); Age = age on the day of the signing; Moving from = only indicate the club the player was playing before start playing for this club in this season, for the type of the moving see Status column; Moving to = only indicates the club the player is going to play next, for the type of the moving see Status column; Ends = when the player's current contract ends; n/a = Not applicable.
    $^^$ Initial fee of £500,000, plus clauses:
      * £62,500 for 15, 30 and 45 appearances for Preston North End
      * 20% sell-on clause
      * £250,000 should Jones achieve promotion whilst at Preston North End.

## Club
### Coaching staff

| Position | Staff |
| Technical Director | Dario Gradi MBE |
| First team coach / Academy Director | Steve Holland |
| Assistant manager | Neil Baker |
| Assistant Academy manager | James Collins |
| Assistant Academy manager | Neil Critchley |
| Chief scout | Glyn Chamberlain |
| Senior physiotherapist | Matt Radcliffe |
| Physiotherapist | Steve Walker |
| Fitness coach | Andy Franks |
| Academy Recruitment Officer | Phil Swift |
| Academy Welfare Officer / Academy Administration | Malcolm Hughes |
Last updated: 26 August 2007 Source: Crewe Alexandra Staff

### Other information

| Chairman | John Bowler |
| Vice Chairman | Norman Hassell |
| Director | Richard Clayton |
| Director | Dario Gradi MBE |
| Director | Mark Hassell |
| Director | Jim McMillan |
| Director | Daniel Potts |
| Director | David Rowlinson |
| Director | Jimmy Rowlinson |
| Head Groundsman | John Huxley |
| Ground (capacity and dimensions) | Alexandra Stadium (10,153 / 100 x 66 yd (60 m)) |
Updated to match played 26 August 2007 Source: Crewe Alexandra Staff

### Kits

| Home Supplier: Diadora Sponsors: Mornflake Oats | Away Supplier: Diadora Sponsors: Mornflake Oats | Home goalkeepers Supplier: Diadora Sponsors: Mornflake Oats | Away goalkeepers Supplier: Diadora Sponsors: Mornflake Oats |

## Competitions
### Overall

| Competition | Started round | Final position / round | First match | Last match |
| Football League One | — | 20 | 11 August 2007 | 3 May 2008 |
| Football League Cup | 1st round | 1st round | 15 August 2007 | 15 August 2007 |
| Johnstone's Paint Trophy | 1st round | 1st round | 4 September 2007 | 4 September 2007 |
| FA Cup | 1st round | 2nd round | 10 November 2007 | 1 December 2007 |
Updated to match played 24 March 2008 Source: Competitions

### League One
#### Table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 18 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 38 | 59 | −21 | 52 | |
| 19 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 42 | 64 | −22 | 51 | |
| 20 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 47 | 65 | −18 | 50 | |
| 21 | AFC Bournemouth (R) | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 62 | 72 | −10 | 48 | Relegation to Football League Two |
| 22 | Gillingham (R) | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 44 | 73 | −29 | 46 | Relegation to Football League Two |
* ↑ Luton and Bournemouth deducted 10 points each for entering administration.

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 29 April 2008. Source: Sky Sports

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 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 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H |
| Result | W | D | L | D | W | L | D | L | D | L | L | W | D | W | W | W | L | L | D | L | L | D | L | W | L | L | L | D | D | L | D | W | D | L | D | D | L | W | W | D | L | L | W | W | L | L |

#### Matches
### Football League Trophy
## Trivia

* Gillingham's Chris Dickson scored the winning goal against Crewe on 5 December at Gresty Road after spending one month on loan for the Railwaymen.
* Walsall's goalkeeper Clayton Ince received the November Powerade Player of the Month award just four days before playing against his former club. Ince, who spent six years at Crewe, said of the occasion, "...my feelings for the club will be put to one side for 90 minutes on Saturday." Ince kept a clean sheet in the match which resulted in a 0–0 draw.
* On 12 February, Crewe signed Ipswich Town midfielder Gary Roberts. Unusually, he is the second player with the name Gary Roberts at Crewe. He was assigned the shirt number 32, whilst the other Gary Roberts has the number 4 shirt.
* Ex-Crewe striker Luke Rodgers scored the final goal in the local derby against Port Vale, just as he did last season.