CREWE ALEXANDRA are back in League Two after spending over 15 years away from the bottom rung of the Football League, which has seen them, to their great credit, ply their trade in the Championship for a lot of that time. The Railway men were famously man

CREWE ALEXANDRA are back in League Two after spending over 15 years away from the bottom rung of the Football League, which has seen them, to their great credit, ply their trade in the Championship for a lot of that time, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

The Railway men were famously managed by Dario Gradi for 24 years and in that time produced a number of players who went on to greater things, with the likes of Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton and Rob Hulse, all securing moves to Premier League clubs.

When Gradi left in 2007, Steve Holland took over, but he lasted little over a year and current boss Gudjon Thordarson was appointed on December 29, 2008.

The 53-year-old had previously managed Notts County, Barnsley and Stoke City, but couldn't prevent relegation to League Two.

This season, he has signed just two players permanently, with Mat Mitchell-King and Patrick Ada joining from Histon on free transfers.

Thordarson has also released a number of his under-performing squad, while Michael O'Connor moved to Scunthorpe for �250k and Tom Pope joined Rotherham for �150k, further enhancing Crewe's reputation for producing players.

The Gresty Road club has a decent squad in place this season, with Clayton Donaldson, whose record of a goal every two games for Hibernian earned him a move to Scottish Premier side Hibernian, while big things are expected from Calvin Zola, who cost the Railwaymen �200k from Tranmere.

DAGGERS TEAM NEWS

Josh Scott is suspended, while Anwar Uddin and Mark Nwokeji are both missing with injuries. Wesley Thomas has just recovered from a knock but might have to make do with a place on the bench.

FRIENDLY FACES

David Button - the goalkeeper has joined Crewe on loan from Spurs, after enjoying a similar spell at Victoria Road last season. He played three games for Daggers, in the victories over Bradford City, Brentford and Notts County, conceding just one goal in the process.

WE'VE MET BEFORE

This is Daggers first ever competitive match with Crewe

LAST TIME OUT

The first game of the 2008/09 season saw Daggers stuff Chester 6-0, while Crewe were beaten 2-1 at home by Brighton.

ONE TO WATCH

Antony Elding - the striker has often flattered to deceive, but knows where the goal is, and is always a threat.

FROM THE DUGOUT

"It will be a different type of game against Dagenham because there are points to be played for. The players will have to do what they have done in pre-season and stand and up be counted," Crewe boss Gudjon Thordarson.

PREDICTION

Daggers to go down 2-1 to a late goal.