Crewe Chase Non-League Defender

Crewe are one of the clubs being linked with Chasetown defender Chris Slater. Slater impressed during Chasetown’s FA Cup run earlier this season, and has attracted attention from Blackpool, Wrexham and Tranmere since, whilst Blackburn have also sent scouts to watch Slater. Slater has already been on trial at Walsall, whilst Tranmere are keen for 22-year old Slater to have a summer-long trial at Prenton Park. The ex-Wolves defender has impressed this season at centre-back, right back and even sweeper, causing Chasetown to be realistic of their chances of keeping their star defender.

Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore said, ‘Chris is under contract at Chasetown, but we won’t stand in his way if chances come for him to step up. We’re not looking for a big fee, if anything we’d probably be happy to include a sell-on clause and it’d be great to see him progress in the Football League. He really is class and I think he can go even higher (than League One) because he just oozes class. He held his own against Oldham and we’ve got high hopes for him. He’s got a great attitude and he’s what I call ‘low maintenance’.

Chasetown are top of the Midland Football Alliance and need just 2 more points from their 2 remaining games. If Crewe sign Slater, it will mean a step up of 6 divisions for the young defender to League One – the 3rd level in England’s football pyramid, compared with the Midland Football Alliance – one of the divisions at the 9th level of England’s football pyramid.