Promotion is a must for O'Reilly (From Warrington Guardian)

Promotion is a must for O'Reilly

CREWE FC boss Ian O'Reilly says his job is on the line if they don't win promotion back into Mid Cheshire League Division One.

Last season saw the club finish rock bottom and endure the first backwards step in their short history.

With the big kick-off against Curzon Ashton Reserves at their temporary base in Reaseheath this Saturday, O'Reilly says the club can't afford to get stuck in Division Two.

"We've got to do it this season or I'll have to be on my way," he explained.

"I don't mean it in a nasty way but if we don't get promotion straight away, I'll feel like I can't get the job done.

"A lot of sides have gone down and never come back up like Malpas, Whitchurch and Lostock.

"If we don't do it this time we might get stuck in Division Two for years and we can't afford that."

O'Reilly believes it'll be a tough task but they can do it with the right attitude.

"It's an unknown quantity," he continued.

"There's a lot of older lads who have dropped into this league who have got a bit upstairs like your Chris Cutlers.

"Last year we let ourselves down badly and we've got to make up for it.

"We've got some good individuals but they've got to play well together.

"Some of the players owe it to me and Gary Wood. It's important that we get it into heads that promotion will be all about 25 players.

"The season we went up we used 22 and it will be a squad effort to get us back up.

"It's not all about starting each game every week."

Crewe wrapped up pre-season with a 5-0 win over Winsford Reserves after suffering a reverse against the first team mid-week.

Barry Morrell (2), Danny Massey, Steve Parker and Alan Brown were on the scoresheet.

"We did well with 10 missing," continued O'Reilly.

"Adie Pearce deserves a mention. He always drops everything to come and play when we're short.

"It's a big worry that we haven't managed to field a settled side."

After the home clash with Curzon, Crewe FC travel to Glossop Reserves on Wednesday, KO 7.45pm.