There was never any doubt who would win Youngster of the year. After a weeks voting, between Dean Ashton, Billy Jones and David Vaughan, the winner is…
1st - BILLY JONES 55%
Billy Jones started his short career at Shrewsbury Town but as a 12 year old he was recommended strongly by former Alex captain Dave Walton. Jones got his first team debut in 2002 as a 15 year old in a pre-season friendly at Macclesfield Town and after a season switching between the U-17s and U-19s he was given his first competitive game in October 2003.
Dario surprised all fans by naming Billy on the bench vs. Derby County. With 5 minutes to go and the Alex 3-0 up vs. Derby, who were also down to 10 men, Billy was brought on in place of Justin Cochrane. Needless to say Billy didn’t quite get the chance to shine. He went on to make a excellent 20 minute sub appearance at Sheff Utd before booking his place in the team at home to Sunderland.
Billy helped the Alex to a 3-0 win in the centre of midfield. His tackling and range of passing and crossing took every Alex fans breath away and a reluctant Dario was forced into keeping the youngster in the team.
Billy stayed the ever so consistent player as the team went through an icky patch. When Billy Jones pops up Crewe fans will instantly remember his first ever goal.
His volley from 30 yards won the CreweAlex.com goal of the year, with many fans saying it was the best goal at Gresty Road… ever.
Billy may have only played 3 months in 2003 but from what he showed he is going to be one special player for the future.
2nd - David Vaughan 24%
Vaughany really made his name in 2003 with a host of performances down the left. The 20 year old Welshman started the year at left back, before being move to the left wing before moving back to left back with the departure of Paul Tierney but after starting this season at left back he finally moved to his natural left back spot.
He showed his promise at left back and consistently cancelled out the threat from the oppositions right wing. Whilst, when playing on the wing him made mazy runs and put in superb balls frightening defences from Division Two and One.
He started the year as a Welsh U-21 international but ended it as a regular fixture in the full Wales squad. He made his first start for Wales and was the star man for Wales in the 2-0 defeat in the USA.
Vaughan’s best moment in 2003, for me, has to be his run at home to Cardiff. Already promoted Crewe had a game to just mess about in and when Vaughany picked up the ball inside the Crewe half he ran past 6 Cardiff players before stinging Graham Alexander’s, the Cardiff keeper, hands.
Vaughan did end the year on a sour note with a knee injury that required surgery but Vaughany will be no doubt back doing that he does best.
3rd - Dean Ashton 21%
Dean Ashton, arguably, had his best year of his career. The 20 year old scored 18 in 34 appearances for the Alex. In Division Two he struggled for the good part of the season but towards the end ripped it into shreds. Inspiring the Alex to vital wins against Plymouth and Luton, scoring 2 in both games.
He also got off to a slow start to the 2003-2004 season but after a little word from Neil Baker he shot into life. He pace skill saw defence’s quaking in their boots. The number of assists and goals he’s started are countless and when he gets a goal he likes to make sure his critics know about it.
For most of 2003 he has had barracking after barracking, mostly unfair ones, from fans, but when he was taken away from the team his critics weren’t saying “I told you so!”… instead they stood in the corner with red faces as the Alex struggled to muster any sort of creativity Ashton would bring.
Coming from the same sort of promise Wayne Rooney is currently on Ashton has had the whole of Crewe on his shoulders and whilst that took its toll in his 18th and 19th year he made up for it in 2003 and looks certain to return to the Premiership class we know he has in 2004!