Youngsters Leave For Potters

Ben Marshall and Matthew Lund have signed deals with Stoke City after rejecting contracts at Crewe.

Both Marshall and Lund came through the Alex academy under Steve Holland’s guidance but rejected professional contracts at Gresty Road in favour of the Premiership Potters.

The two 18 year olds decided to turn the Alex down before contacting Holland about a move to Stoke, with Holland denying any poaching allegations last month.

Holland, as Academy Director, played a major part in both Lund and Marshall’s development in the academy before taking the manager’s role at Crewe in summer 2007. He was sacked in November 2008 after a utterly dreadful 18 months in charged and went on to take the top job at the Stoke City academy.

Stoke will be required to pay compensation for both Lund and Marshall.