As Newport County prepare to take on Crewe Alexandra, we take a closer look at Saturday’s opposition.
What’s their story?
Founded in 1877, Crewe Alexandra quickly made a mark in English football, reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1888, although they were beaten 4-0 by Preston North End. Fast forward to 1958, the club was placed in the newly-formed Fourth Division, and their first taste of promotion came in the 1962-63 season after finishing third. However, their success was short-lived, as they were immediately relegated. They bounced back in 1967-68, but once again endured a brief stay in the Third Division, lasting just one season.
For two decades, Crewe languished in the lower tiers of the Football League. However, the arrival of Dario Gradi in 1983 sparked a remarkable turnaround. Gradi, who would manage the club for over two decades (from 1983 to 2007, with a brief return from 2009 to 2011), led Crewe to two promotions to the third tier. After two heartbreaking play-off campaigns, Crewe finally triumphed in the 1997 Second Division play-off final, defeating Brentford 1-0 to secure a spot in the Football League First Division.
In recent years, Crewe has fluctuated between League One and League Two. Last season, they reached the League Two play-off final but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Crawley Town at Wembley, narrowly missing out on promotion.
Who’s the boss?
Lee Bell, a lifelong Crewe Alexandra supporter, took charge of the club in 2022, embarking on his first managerial role. Despite limited managerial experience, Bell’s deep-rooted connection to the club has been pivotal.
A product of Crewe’s renowned academy, Bell made his first-team debut during the 2002-03 season, coming off the bench against Northampton Town on the opening day. A week later, he netted his first professional goal in a 2-0 victory over Colchester United. His early promise earned him a new contract by February 2003, and Bell played a key role, mostly from the bench, in Crewe's promotion campaign that season.
Throughout his career, Bell had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion before joining Mansfield Town in 2007. He made an immediate impact at Mansfield, scoring his first goal in a 2-1 defeat to Morecambe, though a knee injury curtailed his season. He later moved to Macclesfield Town, where he played 44 games in the 2009-10 season, scoring twice and winning the club’s Player of the Year award. After a few more stints at his former clubs, Bell retired in 2015. Now, as Crewe's manager, he is determined to guide his boyhood club to further success.
Who’s their captain?
Micky Demetriou, formerly Newport County's captain, now leads Crewe Alexandra as their skipper. Appointed at the start of this season, Demetriou brings a wealth of experience from his time in League Two. Initially a striker with Worthing, he transitioned to a centre-back while at Eastbourne Borough before joining Kidderminster Harriers, where he made 108 appearances over three years.
In 2014, Demetriou took the step up to League Two, signing with Shrewsbury Town. He made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal on his debut against Tranmere Rovers, and went on to be a key player in Shrewsbury’s promotion to League One. However, seeking more playing time, Demetriou was loaned to Cambridge United before moving to Newport County in January 2017.
At County, Demetriou became a fan favourite and is regarded as a club legend, amassing 300 appearances and scoring 26 goals. He was part of two Newport sides that came agonisingly close to promotion, suffering play-off final defeats. In 2023, Demetriou joined Crewe and was instrumental in their run to the League Two play-off final, where they narrowly lost to Crawley Town last summer.
A key player
Kane Hemmings has emerged as a key player for Crewe Alexandra this season. The 32-year-old striker, with a remarkable tally of over 160 career goals, joined Crewe on a one-year contract this summer, with an option to extend for further 12 months. Having signed as a free agent, Hemmings became the club’s first senior acquisition of the summer transfer window.
Last season, Hemmings showcased his talent at Stevenage in League One, netting seven goals in 21 starts. Before that, he spent 18 months at Tranmere Rovers, where he was a prolific scorer, bagging 16 league goals. His extensive experience across the Football League also includes stints at clubs such as Burton Albion, Notts County, Mansfield Town, Oxford United, and Barnsley, where he amassed over 70 goals across League One and League Two. In total, Hemmings has made 460 career appearances, having initially begun his journey as a youth player with Glasgow Rangers, for whom he featured 10 times in the first team.
Hemmings has hit the ground running in Crewe’s impressive start to the League Two season, already contributing three goals in seven appearances. Most recently, he was the hero in a 6-0 thrashing of Harrogate Town, netting a brace. His experience, leadership, and sharp eye for goal have made him a crucial figure for the Railwaymen in their bid for promotion.
