CREWE have secured the future of a young strike prospect Dario Gradi has accused Liverpool of trying to poach.

Max Clayton, the 16-year-old son of former Crewe and Norwich City striker Paul Clayton, has now signed professional terms with the Alex – even though he does not start his two-year traineeship at Gresty Road until the summer.

New FA rules have allowed Gradi the opportunity to offer the under-16s star, along with several of his team-mates, professional deals

It was at the start of the season that a furious Gradi accused Liverpool of making an illegal approach for Clayton, who has been part of Crewe's youth programme for 10 years.

He was reluctant to name the Premier side at the time, but declared: "The big clubs are stealing other people's players. It's so hard to protect them. All this goes against the morality of the game. It is the rich robbing the poor.

"Clayton is an outstanding player and he has come in and told us he wants to leave to join a big club."

Injury problems have restricted Clayton's involvement in this season's FA Youth Cup campaign, but, along with Crewe team-mate Nick Powell, he has been included in Kenny Swain's England under-16s squad this year.

Crewe chairman John Bowler said: "We are obviously delighted that a group of promising young players here, including Max, have agreed to commit their futures with us.

"It goes without saying that we hope their continued development will one day see them play in the Crewe Alexandra first team."

Phillips contract fears: Page 50