Crewe Alex: Wing star Joel has promotion bug after seeing Shots move up
NEW Crewe wing ace Joel Grant hopes he can bring the winning mentality of Aldershot's promotion drive to Gresty Road.
The former Watford youngster was a regular name on the scouting radar as the Shots charged to the Blue Square Premier title under Gary Waddock, finishing 15 points clear of nearest challengers Cambridge United.
"We had a strong competitive attitude and a real winning mentality and I hope I can bring that to Crewe," declared the 20-year-old, who scored 10 times in 61 games for Aldershot in two spells with the club, including one loan stint while he was still at Vicarage Road.
"At Aldershot last season we got to a stage when it was a shock when we lost.
"They were very attack-minded and with the stamina to match, which was all down to Gary and his coach Martin Kuhl.
"The Blue Square Premier was a decent league and hopefully it will help me to push on."
Despite Aldershot's long-awaited return to the Football League, Grant jumped at the chance to step up to an even higher level with Crewe and a £130,000 fee was thrashed out in June.
"I thought there was a little bit of interest during last season, but you never take it seriously, so it was a bit of a shock when the move came up," admitted the wide man.
Blooded early by Aidy Boothroyd, Grant, ironically, made his senior debut against Crewe in a goalless Championship clash in South Cheshire in 2005. But he remained on the fringes after Watford's elevation to the Premier League and was grateful to earn some competitive action at The Recreation Ground.
"I played about 10 first-team games for Watford, but the change to the Blue Square Premier was pretty much made easy for me when it came," he recalled. "I found the standard of football a bit more physical than I was used to, but it was a good learning curve.
"I can play on both wings and behind the striker, but I spent the majority of last season on the left, where I like to take on my man. I prefer to run facing the goal rather than having my back to it.
"I knew Crewe were a very good footballing side and they looked to help young players, which helped me decide to come here. I thought it would be a chance to better myself as a player and get more experience under my belt.
"I also knew all about Dario Gradi and those things definitely helped me make my final decision."
After the glory of a title-winning campaign with Aldershot, Grant is only too aware of the difficulties Crewe have faced adjusting to League One since their 2006 demotion.
But, he says, he was encouraged by Steve Holland's recruitment plans, which have seen the frontline also bolstered by the arrival of giant striker Calvin Zola.
"I definitely hope Crewe are going to have a better season than last year and the picture they painted me was the club was looking to push on," added the winger. "They had a bad season last year, which they said by their standards was not good enough. That demonstrated to me they have an ambition to do well.
Grant also brings an international flavour to the Alex ranks, having played regularly at youth level for Jamaica, where part of his family still reside.
He hopes the move to Crewe will enhance his chances of a senior call-up with the Reggae Boyz for the qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup.
"I've trained with the seniors a few times, so I am hoping this move will help me push for full international honours this season," he said.
"Jamaica have an under-23s and an under-20s, which means with my age I can still play under-23s.
"I was born in England, but I am always out in Jamaica, so I might be seen as a Jamaican. My mum and family all live out there.
"My fellow countrymen, like Ian Goodison, Ricardo Fuller, Marlon King and Ricardo Gardner, have all done well over here.
"There was a lot of excitement when Jamaica qualified for the World Cup in 2008, but it all went wrong afterwards.
"But the manager who helped us qualify back then, Rene Simones, has just taken over again, so there are high hopes for qualification again.
"It has become a bit more professional again and the league over there is getting better all the time. They also take part in a Champions League style tournament where the top two teams from all the Caribbean countries play off against each other, and that is bound to produce more talent."
While Grant was leaving Aldershot, former Alex defender Dean Howell was moving in to further enhance the connections between the two clubs.
Former Alex men John Grant and Anthony Charles were among Grant's victorious team-mates last season.
"I spoke to John and he told me about his past at Crewe and my decision was made a lot easier," said Grant.
"He told me if Crewe were interested in me then I should think about going. John has done well over the years. He has always scored goals and I am sure he will get back up the leagues. Anthony, who now plays centre-half, has pushed on and his reading of the game has improved. Both of the boys are doing well down at Aldershot."
As Holland hopes his new signing will do at Crewe.
He said: "Joel is the sort of player who was missing from the team last season and, while it wasn't the most important factor for us in bringing him here, hopefully the fans will enjoy watching him play.
"He's someone we've had in mind for a while and we were delighted to sign him. But he's by no means the finished article and he has things to work on, like every player.
"It was interesting to talk to him when he signed for us as he felt he could have scored more goals last season."
ON A HIGH: Joel Grant tasted promotion with Aldershot last season and says he wants to maintain that winning feeling with Crewe. Photo: WESLEY WEBSTER
Comment on this story