Doing the 92 is Daniel Storey’s remarkable journey to visit every English football league club within a single season. The best way to follow his adventure is by subscribing here.
Aidan Callan vividly remembers the first time he witnessed Matus Holicek in action. At just nine years old, Holicek had recently joined the academy at Crewe Alexandra. Callan recalls being impressed by his technical skills even at that tender age. While many young talents fade away, Holicek seemed destined for greater things.
Fast forward a decade, and Holicek, now 20, is a key player for Crewe. He has made a name for himself on the international stage with the Under-19 team, transitioning from a wide player to a central attacking midfielder, where he has already assisted five league goals this season. Last month, he signed an extension to his first professional contract, a clear indication of the club’s desire to retain his talents as his initial deal was set to expire this summer.
Crewe Alexandra has a rich history of developing academy talent, with 12 players from their academy used in the first team this season—three more than any other club in League Two. However, Holicek is particularly noteworthy, symbolizing a new era of scouting and recruitment that Crewe believes sets them apart. His Slovakian name paired with a warm Cheshire accent captures the essence of this evolution.
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Crewe has long been a welcoming home for migrants from Eastern Europe. After World War II, around 160,000 Polish refugees resettled in Britain, and one of the largest camps was established at Doddington Hall, just south of the town. The eastern expansion of the European Union in May 2004 allowed migrants from various nations to relocate to the UK, making Crewe one of the focal points for this influx. A BBC news report from 2006 estimated that 6,000 Polish workers were residing in Crewe, although other studies suggest this figure may have been exaggerated. The 2021 census indicated that 2.1 percent of Cheshire East’s population hailed from Poland or Romania, with Slovakia being another contributor to this vibrant community. Nevertheless, the presence of this migrant population is significant, prompting Crewe Alexandra to actively engage with them as part of the club’s identity within the local community.
Social media posts occasionally appear in Polish or Slovak, inviting participation in ticket promotions. It’s essential to acknowledge that while language can be a barrier, the universal language of football transcends such divides.
On the Saturday I visited the Mornflake Stadium (which I will always refer to as Gresty Road), I noticed a family lingering at the back of the expansive Main Stand: a father, mother, and their young son. This wasn’t their first visit, but they attend infrequently. They were purchasing tickets on the day for the home match against Newport County, just a few steps away from becoming avid supporters.
However, the most intriguing effects of Crewe’s multiculturalism are evident within the academy. In a competitive landscape where clubs strive to outsmart one another, tapping into the local migrant population—many of whom come from countries with a rich football tradition—has become a strategic advantage.
“We recognize the opportunity here,” says Callan. “We have a new head of recruitment from a different part of the country, and he’s eager to understand the local demographic and its evolution.”
Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Newport County (Saturday)
- Game no.: 65/92
- Miles: 130
- Cumulative miles: 11,122
- Total goals seen: 191
- One lasting memory from May: The breathtaking view from the Main Stand in Crewe. On a clear day, I believe it offers a wider vista of England’s landscapes than any other ground in the 92.
“This presents a unique opportunity to engage with the local area and nurture more talents like Matus Holicek. We live in a multicultural world, and that diversity enriches our daily lives, including football,” he adds.
Crewe is an ideal location for this initiative. As a small town, connections within grassroots football and school sports are strong. Beyond scouts attending matches, the club continually receives recommendations. Twelve years ago, one of those recommendations pointed to a six-year-old named Mikolaj Lenarcik. He was a student in Crewe, very shy, and struggled with English, yet he exhibited promising skills as an outfield player, eventually being transitioned into a goalkeeper within the academy. Lenarcik found himself on the first-team bench at 17 and this season he made headlines by saving two penalties in a shootout victory in the FA Youth Cup. The club takes great pride in his achievements.
Clearly, this approach makes practical sense: identifying talented children and dismantling barriers to explore their potential is a no-brainer. However, what intrigues me most is how these young players differ from their peers. When Callan first observed Holicek, it was his ability to protect the ball and drive forward that set him apart. Even at a young age, stylistic trends can be seen among those from diverse backgrounds.
“It’s not just about the individuals but also how they influence their fellow academy players, fostering well-rounded athletes,” explains Callan. “We take boys to Cyprus and Barcelona to experience various football styles. If this diversity is happening daily here, with players learning from each other’s unique styles, it can only enhance their development.”
This is a long-term vision: Holicek was among the first to flourish because his talent was apparent, and the timing of his move to the UK was fortuitous. It’s also a game of minute percentages; we won’t see half a team of Eastern European names in a Crewe academy lineup overnight.
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Nevertheless, Crewe can remain optimistic that this symbiotic relationship will yield fruitful results. “The ideal scenario is for this to develop in tandem,” states Callan. “We’re aware of the substantial Eastern European presence in and around Crewe and South Cheshire. If we start producing players from these backgrounds, it’s natural to assume that local communities will become increasingly invested in their journey, encouraging younger generations from these families to take up football.”
This fosters unity through the sport, facilitating natural integration within a diverse and multicultural population. Amid the unsettling narratives propagated by those seeking to sow discord, there’s something heartwarming about this. Matus Holicek is truly one of Crewe’s own.
Daniel Storey has set himself the ambitious goal of visiting all 92 grounds across the Premier League and EFL this season. You can track his progress through our interactive map and explore every article published thus far.
