Have Crewe Alex ever made a decent loan signing?, The Sentinel’s website, somewhat harshly, asks.
Apart from Kenny Lunt, who recently returned to the struggling club from Sheffield Wednesday, where he is surplus to requirements, yes they have.
Perhaps in recent years, no-one has particularly stood out, but it hasn’t been all bad.
In particular, casting my mind back to the 1998/99 season, Danny Murphy was a huge success.
He had been sold to Liverpool after helping Crewe win promotion to the old first division, but agreed a temporary deal to come back, after failing to secure a first team place at Anfield.
At the time, Crewe were rock bottom of the league and points adrift. Things looked bleak. Murphy came back to Gresty Road and transformed the whole season.
Playing at the apex of midfield, his creativity sparked an amazing revival. The speed of St Vincent international Rodney Jack had been without direction before Murphy’s return. But, with Crewe’s returning play-maker able to pick out Jack at will, Alex’s fortunes soon changed.
Murphy scored a crucial goal against fellow relegation strugglers Oxford and inspired his team mates to escape relegation, to survive in league one for another year. Seth Johnson was another key player that year – he was offered the chance to go to Derby for £1 million, but turned it down to help Crewe survive. A remarkable display of loyalty which is often lacking in the modern game.
As for Murphy, after his relegation heroics, he returned to Liverpool, where he won a starting place in the first team, scored numerous winning goals against arch-rivals Manchester United, and went on to play for England. He is still a star performer today, for Fulham, who he captains. And judging by his recent performance as a pundit on Match of the Day, could have a career in the media when he hangs up his boots.
Thank’s for everything Danny.
Richie71's Weblog 