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But Crewe’s current youth squad hope to defy the odds and win this years competition after disposing of Brentford, Cirencester Town, Sunderland and Swindon Town ahead of tonight’s match against ‘Boro. Should they beat the Teesiders, the young reds would meet either Blackburn or Aston Villa in the final.
This years run has eclipsed the 1998 side containing David Wright, Kenny Lunt and Rob Hulse that reached the quarter finals, and also the 2000 side that had Dean Ashton, David Vaughan and Ben Rix in the ranks.
Senior Academy Director and Coach Steve Holland is expecting the Crewe fans to turn out in numbers tonight at Gresty Road to support the lads:
“Our supporters have always backed the youth team in various competitions, and I have a figure in my mind of what crowd we can expect but hopefully it will be even more that
Assistant Academy Director Terry McPhillips added: "The crowd can really help you and they certainly did when we played Arsenal here a few years ago."
The return leg will be played on Wednesday 7th April at the Riverside Stadium against a Middlesbrough side that has only conceded two goals in the competition.
Star players Gary Roberts and Kyle Wilson will be taking centre stage for the young Railwaymen, but influential defender Billy Jones will miss out after playing at West Ham United for the first team last night. We go into the tie as underdogs with ‘Boro beating Fulham, Walsall, Newcastle United and Tranmere Rovers on the way to the semi-final. However, their England international midfielder Andrew will miss out with a broken leg.
Tickets are £3 for adults and £1 for everyone else, and kick off is at 1900.
Go on lads!