Callum Ainley: Former Crewe Alexandra midfielder joins Grimsby Town
Callum Ainley, a former Crewe Alexandra midfielder, has signed a one-year contract with League Two Grimsby Town.
After departing the Railwaymen at the end of the previous campaign after making 242 league appearances for the team, the 25-year-old was a free agent.
Paul Hurst, the manager of the Mariners, said of the player, “He can play in the wide areas or as a number 10, and he’s very technically gifted.
Ainley was listed as a reserve for Saturday’s game between Grimsby and Bradford.
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READ MORE: “We’ve made it challenging for teams to play here,” – Bell
Lee Bell is keen for Crewe Alexandra to extend their impressive home record when Colchester United visit tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The Railwaymen are unbeaten in 11 League Two fixtures at Mornflake Stadium, with the last defeat coming in early February.
They will be favourites for three points against The U’s, who have only won one in the last 10 on the road.
But Manager Bell said: “We spoke at the start of the season about making this a difficult place for teams to come and play, and I think it is.
“But we had a torrid time at (Colchester’s) place at the back end of last season so we know they are a good team with some good young players. They are well organised and transition well.
“We have to match them in every area. We will always look to be on the front foot and control the game.”
Colchester, who will start the game sitting 18th in League Two, operate in a similar way to Crewe as a club.
They run a Category II academy and Manager Ben Garner has continued the club’s tradition of promoting homegrown players to the first team.
Bell added: “Me and their manager probably have more in common than any other managers in the league because we work for similar clubs who operate in a similar way.
“We both know the stresses and positives of it but it’s always good to see young players getting a chance.”
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