10/05/2008 - Finding keeper is Holland priority
Signing a new keeper is Steve Holland's first priority once the dust has settled on a woeful campaign.
Holland has been left in limbo after both first-choice Ben Williams and reserve Owain Fon Williams shelved decisions on contract offers.
With Bury rumoured to be preparing a long-term deal for Williams and Swansea on the trail of Wales under-21 Fon Williams, Crewe have had to look elsewhere.
They have already held talks with Gretna's Greg Fleming and, once the curtain comes down on the border side's disastrous SPL campaign on Tuesday night, the highly-rated youngster could become the first signing of the summer.
"The position is so important and we have offered the number one position to another keeper and we are waiting for a response to that," said Holland
"Ben was offered it and I explained to him it would be offered to someone else if he didn't make a decision on his contract. That was Owain Fon Williams and we felt it would be an opportunity he'd be excited about.
"He was the second option, but he has also indicated he would like to wait and perhaps he has been advised there are other options for him.
"We also have a fourth lined up if required. So we are well covered, it is just a case of getting them signed up and on the books."
Fon Willams's stance has frustrated his former youth-team boss, but his lack of senior action and exposure on the international stage could be a factor.
He will be in the shop window when Wales under-21s meet their English counterparts at Wrexham next Thursday night. And Crewe would be entitled to compensation or a tribunal-set fee, if the former can't be agreed on, because of his age.
"It is disappointing, but Owain is a young man and he is entitled to make his own decisions," said Holland.
"It is a sign of the times. We experienced something similar with Billy Jones last year. You are constantly fighting agents and other opportunities other clubs give them.
"But I have known Owain for a long time and he is a good guy and we wish him well whatever his decision is."