On the 8th January 2017, Crewe Alexandra Football Club officially announced that they had parted company with ex-Manager Steve Davis. If I’m being honest, I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. However, I was a tad surprised that the decision was actually made – given the board’s history with being extremely patient with the clubs managers. On the other hand, with Davis’ record over recent seasons, you could easily argue that he has had more than enough time. I personally believe my last statement to be true, he was given ample time and opportunities – without a recent form change, it was evident he couldn’t cease upon those.
It appeared obvious to many fans that the axe was coming. We were sitting only 18th in League 2 – with a squad which, on paper, looked capable of reaching the products. Davis repetitively mentioned in his last press conferences/ radio interviews ‘he would not quit’ and stood by that until the end. However with only 2 wins from 21 in the league and 9 of those being losses – a record like that can’t linger with a club for too long. Another reason fans suspected the end was near is the fact at Mansfield Town, after the game, some fans noticed Davis appeared to stay out on the pitch for longer than usual applauding those fans that made the 72 mile trip – almost as if he was waving goodbye to the fans and the club. Suggesting he knew the end had arrived. Also the Davis out protests had restarted that game with sections of the travelling support chanting ‘we want Davis out’ and ‘Davis out my lord’ for most of the game, with the club ‘parting company’ with Davis I wonder if that possibly influenced the decision. One factor, if I were a gambling man, I would bet on definitely influencing the decision of the board is the stay away fans; financially if a large group of supporters are not purchasing tickets and even food on match day the income will suffer – from a business side of the game, that can be devastating. New manager Dave Artell spoke directly to those fans in his first interview.
‘Those that might have been staying away or apprehensive about coming down to Gresty Road on a Saturday afternoon then now’s the time. There’s no time better than the present – the lads need the support.’ – official club website, was how he addressed those fans.
However despite the unacceptable results of late, in my opinion, Davis deserves to be remembered as a true great.
He took over a team low in confidence and low in form and low in the table (18th). He took over them with a 19 game unbeaten run and 1 loss in 22, seeing them to promotion via the playoffs – with a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town in his first 7 months in the role. In the next twelve The Alex visited Wembley once more, this time in the then Johnstones Paint Trophy final. After a 3-2 aggregate victory against the ‘Sky Blues’ of Coventry City over 2 legs, in the area final, Crewe Alexandra faced Southend United in the final. Southend were very much out for vengeance, The Railwaymen beat The Shrimpers in the playoff semi finals. However on that day, Crewe ran out 2-0 winners. The two Wembley visits came in Davis’ first 12 months in the job, a very rare feat in football – an even rarer feat to win the two matches.
Despite the fact I believe it was time for a change. I would like to thank Davis for all the good memories and the good times he brought to the club. Those memories which will last forever, for everyone who was a part of them and experienced them as either fans, players, board members or coaches. I would also like to wish Davis every success in the future.
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