There was certainly a mixture of euphoria and relief at Gresty Road on Sunday after Crewe retained their Championship status by the narrowest of margins. The Railwaymen came from a goal down to beat Coventry 2-1 thanks to Steve Jones' 72nd minute winner, but the 9,000-plus crowd then had an anxious wait of some two minutes before the news filtered through that Nottingham Forest and Gillingham had drawn.
The result at the City Ground meant that Crewe had survived on goal difference and Dario Gradi, the longest serving manager in league football, admitted he was lost for words at the end of a nerve-jangling afternoon. Gradi has now kept Crewe in the second level of English football for eight of the last nine seasons, however he was quick to admit that next season could be a similar struggle.
"It will be even harder next year so we will try to strengthen the side, and while the money is not a problem – we have got more than we have ever had - the problem is finding players who are not on better wages then we can afford to pay," said Gradi, whose distinguished reign at the Cheshire club has lasted an incredible 22 years. "We budget to lose £500,000 and we won't go beyond that."
One of the major reasons behind Crewe's current financial stability was the £3 million sale of striker Dean Ashton to Norwich in January. However, whist the bank balance looked significantly more favourable following the former England Under 21 international's departure, Ashton's absence had a catastrophic effect on results. Indeed, Sunday's victory against the Sky Blues was only Crewe's second win since beating Leeds 2-0 at Elland Road on New Year's Day.
Goal hero Steve Jones admitted losing Ashton was a big blow at a crucial stage of the campaign. "We have missed Dean and when you've been on a run like us you wonder where the next win is coming from," said the 28-year-old. "Once the celebrations are over we need to make sure we don't end up in the same situation again."
Northern Ireland international Jones, added, "It was a great feeling when that goal went in, not for myself and the players, but for the fans. Theyve had a long-suffering season. I dedicated this goal to my little lad (10-month old Milo). He's been in hospital for the last four days with breathing difficulties, but he's picked up again and hopefully well get him home some time today.
"He's only the size of a three-month old because he was born fourth months premature. Obviously it affected my form. I didn't do any pre-season training because I spent his first three months in hospital with him. That puts things into context. Sunday wasn't a life or death situation. I know it was for some of the fans, but still it was nice for us to stay up and for me to get the winner."
