FAN'S EYE VIEW : Only grief for Gresty faithful

"They don't want to go up!" Many times over years have I pondered on this cynical synopsis of my team's approach to crucial games, yet only now do I understand its true meaning. The official start of Crewe Alexandra's "run-in" is when the club seemingly does everything in its power to lose. This year their demise began early, on 9 March to be exact: Crewe Alexandra 1 Bristol Rovers 2.

Five games and four defeats later, the Alex are barely hanging on to a play-off place. While Swindon and Blackpool juggle the two automatic promotion spots between them, we have sacrificed ourselves to a tenacious pack. What is more, Notts County, Oxford and Chesterfield et al are on form and pumping with morale. Most importantly, all contenders except Crewe appear to have a vision.

Crewe's reputation as a nursery of talent is legend but it goes back further than many people realise. Stan Bowles, Gresty Road's contribution to 1970s' flair, was a little before my time but I did see Bruce Grobbelaar blatantly fix his final game, against York in 1980... by scoring a penalty. This was still some three years before Dario Gradi and the beginning of the glory days; glory, that is from the short-term perspective of an accountant, certainly not a fan's.

My own Fantasy League team includes five ex-Crewe players. It is not doing particularly well, so it seems the pounds 100,000 prize will elude me. But to the committed supporter money means little.

Next season, automatic selections of Grobbelaar, David Platt, Craig Hignett and Rob Jones may be joined by Ashley Ward (Derby via Norwich) and the two most recent products; Neil Lennon (Leicester) and Rob Edwards (Huddersfield).

No one disputes that small clubs occasionally need to sell their star player to stay afloat, but if the sales of Lennon and Edwards were not enough, the departure of full-back Martyn Booty was conclusive proof that Crewe Alexandra FC are not interested in promotion.

The Spring Madness Sale was all over in six weeks. Gradi explained, in uncharacteristic language, that he was compelled to take the bids for Lennon and Edwards as he was unable to offer contracts acceptable to the players. The club needed the money (pounds 750,000 and pounds 125,000 respectively) to pay off the overdraft and award better terms to the remaining staff. I cannot believe this was the only option. To the fans, the playing staff and, no doubt the private Gradi, an alternative choice was promotion.

The most galling aspect of this story is that I live in Swindon. Week after week, I smile passively at the gentle ribbing which accompanies Saturday's results as fans of all allegiances gather round the pub TV. As Crewe's chances veer towards the infinitesimal, the ribbing has given way to a mixture of hilarity and commiseration. Last week, a friendly fan (Oxford United, as it happened) asked me what had gone wrong. I explained what I assumed is the strategy for the final lap...

With 17 games to go and no discernable advantage, take the first half- decent offer for the most talented player (Blackburn and Coventry were among those also shadowing Lennon). Then, just as morale starts to suffer, (and do not forget, inspirational skipper Steve Macauley has been out injured since January), flog 21-goal striker (Edwards) for a derisory sum.

To make absolutely sure of promotion, get rid of 1994 player of the season (Booty) and grab an ex-Alex forward (Gary Blissett, on loan from Wimbledon) to replace Edwards (Blissett rhymes with "miss it", by the way). And then, with the proceeds, pay the less talented players more money. They will try even harder and win promotion in the face of adversity.

The Oxford fan laughed. I'm still not sure whether it was my thinly veiled sarcasm or the realisation that not even he could have dreamed of a better end to our season.