PROLIFIC Blue Square Bet Premier marksman Jamie Vardy wanted to join Crewe in the summer.

Now the in-form striker is helping fire big-spending Fleetwood Town towards promotion to the Football League.

Vardy has proved invaluable to the Cod Army – who are second in the Blue Square Bet Premier table – after netting 14 goals in his 14 appearances.

But he was too pricey for the Alex, who couldn't raise the six-figure fee his former club FC Halifax Town demanded... although the 24-year-old and his agent hankered after a move to Gresty Road.

Crewe had renewed their interest in the speedy frontman, who had once been on trial at the club, after his goal-scoring exploits in the Evo-Stik Premier Division last term.

But Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker admits their failure to land Vardy demonstrates why they need to look even lower down in the depths of non-league to find a bargain.

"Jamie Vardy was a target and we had him practically wrapped up. He and his agent were keen to come to Crewe," revealed Baker.

"But our market gets smaller all the time. It's hard for us to get young Premier League players to drop down and come here on loan. We couldn't bring a left-back in from League One.

"Fees for players in the Blue Square are too high. So realistically we need to dip a lot below that level to find players for the future."

After being re-appointed to his assistant's role following Crewe's recent managerial reshuffle, Baker has retained his scouting duties.

Recent loan signings Wes Fletcher and Jamie Lowry were his recommendations and he had also identified Doncaster Rovers striker Chris Brown as a potential recruit.

The injury-hit frontman could yet be available at the turn of the year and several other deals he and Steve Davis tried to set up could yet materialise.

"We've already spoken about the players we want," said boss Davis.

"We know who we want to bring in and we're sounding out those managers we'd contacted before to see if they will let the players go out (on loan) or not in January."