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Archived News from June 2004

ANDY WHITE JOINS CREWE
7th June 2004 22:13


White Completes Switch
http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk

Crewe Alexandra are delighted to announce the signing of Andy White on a one-year contract. White, who made two substitute appearances for the Alex during a loan-spell in 2002 has recently been released by Mansfield Town after the Stags lost on penalties to Huddersfield Town in the Play-Off Final.

White made 34 appearances last season for four different clubs, but with the club needing to cut their wage bill they have recently released 8 players and are holding further contract talks with a further 12 players.

At 6ft 4”, the Derby-born forward will be an useful asset in the Crewe squad after Dario Gradi chose to release fellow attacking players Carl Frost, Allan Smart and Ian Jeffs this summer.

White, 22, began his career at non-league Hucknall Town before signing for Mansfield in 2000. He joined the Alex on loan in October 2002, a short-term arrangement that saw Colin Little move the other way. He made two appearances for the Alex against Blackpool and Wigan Athletic during our promotion season from the Second Division.

Over the last few seasons, White has spent brief loan spells at Boston, Kidderminster and Burton Albion.

White's arrival comes just three days after we secured the services of 21-year-old goalkeeper Ben Williams on a two-year contract.
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Andy White has told crewealex.net that he is surprised and relieved to have signed a new one-year contract with Crewe Alexandra. After being released by Mansfield Town last week, the 22-year-old striker was obviously delighted to be returning to the club he spent some time on loan with a couple of seasons ago.

The Derby-born striker can now go on holiday this week relieved that he won't be spending the summer looking for a new club.

“I'm delighted to be coming back to Crewe after what happened at Mansfield last season. I feel extremely lucky to be given this chance because there are not many players who are released by a Third Division club and end up signing for a First Division club like Crewe, ' says Andy.

“I've known for a while that Mansfield were not going to be offering me a new contract and the frustrating thing for me was that I wasn't really given a chance to show what I could do under Keith Curle. I only started two games last season and he pulled me off at half-time in both games.

“If I had played 20 games and not performed well, then you can accept it but I don't think I was given much of a chance there. I was loaned out three times and knew around Christmas time that I would have to look elsewhere.

“Crewe coming in for me was a bit of a surprise and I'm relieved to know that I will coming to such a good club again for pre-season training. I just can't wait to get going again because this is such a good chance for me to develop as a player.

He added: “It was great to work under Dario (Gradi) last season and I know that coming here will improve me as a player. I know that I will have to work hard to become a first-team player but that is my aim for next season.

“Hopefully, I can improve and do enough next season to earn myself at Crewe. At the moment I feel like the luckiest man in the world and I'm delighted to have got this chance.”
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BBC Nottingham online
Meanwhile, the former Mansfield Town and Notts County manager Billy Dearden has been appointed Assistant Manager at second division Blackpool. Dearden will assist the Seasiders' new boss Colin Hendry in his first managerial appointment.

 

Latest | June 2004