CREWE are to make club history by signing a player on contract for the first time.

Manager Ian O'Reilly said: 'We have a lad who is doing very well for us and we are thinking of taking this step. We have never done it before but we think we may have to do it to protect ourselves from losing him.'

Meanwhile, Crewe registered a fine 2-1 win at Styal in a Coors Mid-Cheshire League Division One fixture on Saturday, although the win was marred by the early loss of Nick Butterworth.

Added O'Reilly: 'I don't know what happened to Nick but he appeared to be having a fit and was rushed to Macclesfield Hospital.

'It was very frightening and it got to our lads. I've never seen anything like it in all my years in football, so it must have been worrying for them. We would like to thank Styal for their help with Nick.

'The game was delayed 15 minutes while the ambulance came, but they were very helpful.'

Happily, Butterworth was released on Saturday night following blood tests.

Trailing 1-0 to a first-half penalty, Crewe fought back and registered the win with two excellent goals from Danny Massey.

'We were all over the place in the first half really but turned it round with a much better performance in the second.

'It was nice to get a win because we haven't played a league game for several weeks and the three points push us back up towards mid-table.'

Meanwhile, Crewe's second string gained a goalless draw at home to Rylands Reserves.

This Saturday, Crewe host Golborne with the reserves making the trip in the opposite direction (both 2.15pm).

Meanwhile, Nantwich Town Reserves maintained their fine form in Division Two with a 2-1 win at Warrington Boro.