20 Questions: Crewe Alexandra

A closer look at County’s Carabao Cup opponents

Jul 12, 2025

Saturday 12 July 2025

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THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Crewe supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

The vast majority of County fans reading this will know a thing or two about Crewe Alexandra — we’ve played them more than any other club in our history. The first meeting was on Saturday 16 December 1893 — a 0-0 draw at Green Lane in the FA Cup (County won the replay a week later). The 156th Cheshire derby will be taking place at Edgeley Park in August, with Crewe coming to town in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Ahead of the tie, here’s some more info on the Alex, courtesy of Stuart Price from The Railwaymen podcast.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Nicola Jayne Landscape Design. A big thank you to Nicola.

Thanks also to Martin from Solar Footprint who sponsors our Crewe Alexandra content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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County won the League Two title in 2023-24 but suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Crewe (Photo credit: Mike Petch)

Crewe currently play in League Two, which is the fourth tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

It’s getting harder and harder to compete every year, due to the money now being spent by teams even in the fourth tier. That being said, I watched a lot of very average teams last season, and unfortunately, Crewe were one of them for the second half of the season.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Crewe.

I live abroad, so a typical matchday for me is opening my laptop and watching it on iFollow, making notes ready for the podcast we’ll record the day after.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Crewe, being where it is geographically, has a few. The two teams in Stoke-on-Trent would be some people’s answers. Some would say the Disney project over the border. Stockport would also feature, although with an 11-year gap between playing each other, younger fans don’t really feel the same.

What’s your best memory following Crewe?

My favourite season is 2002-03, when we finished second to Wigan Athletic and secured an immediate return to Division One. Best memory is probably the five seasons we had in the second tier prior to that.

What’s your worst memory following Crewe?

Probably the time under Guðjón Þórðarson when Crewe were relegated to League Two, without any academy players in the squad and parents starting to choose to take their kids elsewhere.

If Crewe Alexandra was a TV show, which one would it be?

I’ve no idea, but ChatGPT gave me the answer of Friday Night Lights — a show about a team with youth development and an underdog mentality.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

The Mornflake Stadium, officially — but in reality, Gresty Road. For someone who’s never been: three small stands and a giant one that dwarfs the others, paid for by Seth Johnson’s transfer. One of the easiest walks from the train station in the country.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

A team that we shared a lot of matches against, seemingly following us up and down the league for a long time. The current iteration seems destined to climb a bit higher than the current status, with the money being pumped in.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Yes, I used to get the train to visit the cinema a fair bit when I was growing up in Holmes Chapel.

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Crewe have had?

Crewe wear red with a splash of white. A lot of fans will tell you that the best kit we had was the 1994-95 shirt that featured more blue than white.

If Crewe were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

There aren’t many. The drummer from The Boo Radleys has probably been surpassed these days by Richard Hoiles, the ITV horse racing broadcaster.

What’s the most interesting fact about Crewe Alexandra we might not know?

I’m not sure if people are aware of this or not, but Crewe won the Welsh Cup twice in two years in the 1930s, but were then asked not to compete in it the following year due to the fact Crewe isn’t in Wales.

Who’s your all time Crewe hero?

There’s a lot to choose from — players that have come through the academy, played for the club, and gone on to the top tier and international football. A current player still flying the flag would be Ashley Westwood, currently captain of MLS team Charlotte FC.

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Crewe’s fanbase?

In a ground that can hold 10,500, the average in 2024-25 was 5,300. The fanbase seems to be growing, and lots of younger fans have been following home and away in great numbers over the last few seasons.

What’s your manager like?

Someone who felt the pressure much more than in his previous year and a half in charge, but he’s learning, and we’re hoping he’s learned his lessons for the season ahead.

What’s your chairman like?

Charles Grant is a Marmite figure, but you can’t argue that his heart is in the right place when it comes to the club.

The Stockport Sippers Society enjoy a pre-match pint at The Borough Arms before our 2-0 victory at Gresty Road in October 2023

What’s it like for a night out in Crewe?

I’d stick to Nantwich Road if you’re after a night out in Crewe — or you could even follow that road and head to Nantwich itself for a few more options.

What’s the best thing about being a Crewe fan?

The history of the academy — one of the best production lines in the country. On a par with, or surpassing, almost all other clubs in the country.

What’s the worst thing about being a Crewe fan?

Nothing. It’s great.

What are your hopes for this season?

Not sure at this stage. The size of the squad is a worry, but there’s still plenty of time to change that before kick-off.

➡️ Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

5 questions with Nicola from Nicola Jayne Landscape Design

What was the best moment with your business in June?

Having my interview for Sustainable Business of the Year in the Enterprise Vision Awards 2025. The EVAs is the largest celebration of women-owned companies in the UK, so it’s an honour to be a finalist.

What’s your plans for the business in July?

I’m currently working on a number of commercial schemes including extra care facilities, a refurbishment of a school, a residential apartment scheme and a presentation on designing play spaces for 5 to 8 year olds! We’re developing planning drawings for a number of high end residential schemes in the Stockport area, before winding down (ish) to the summer holidays. I have two young boys so I work my business around them.

What would you like to promote to The Scarf My Father Wore readers this month?

The importance of pollinator planting and how currently our habitats in the UK are defragmented. Gardens are 30% of the landscape in the UK and we are breaking down wildlife habitats. I would love to promote the magic of nature — open your eyes and see it! We’re lucky to have access to the green spaces we have.

Any nice trips or holidays planned this summer?

We’re going to Kefalonia to take our boys back to the island me and my husband first went on holiday (many years ago). We’re celebrating 10 years married this year so we can’t wait to take our little explorers around the island. Both of our boys love to swim in the sea, although that’s something I hate, which I blame Jaws for!

What’s the best music festival or gig you’ve ever been to?

Probably Leeds Festival 2006, or Slipknot just before lockdown, closely followed by Backstreet Boys! I have met some very random musicians from living in Satans Hollow as a student!

➡️ Visit njlandscapedesign.co.uk for further details.

Photo of the day

Gresty Road, Crewe

An absolute belter from Ben Walker. Check out his website stockportcountyshirts.co.uk for some shirt belters that you can wear to the match. (Or the pub.)

Are you eligible for a £7,500 grant?

Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you may receive a grant to help cover part of the cost of replacing your fossil fuel heating system (including oil, gas or electric) with the installation of a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Grants of £7,500 are available toward the cost and installation of an air source heat pump. Solar Footprint – based in Cheshire and Northamptonshire – submits applications on behalf of property owners.

➡️ For further information go to solarfootprint.co.uk.

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

All pints £2.50 at The Cross Keys (SK8) from 6pm till 9pm.

If you’re heading out for a few drinks today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Queens (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).