Holland fears Maynard exit
26 Jun 2008 - 13:36:31
Crewe Alexandra's first-team coach Steve Holland admits it will be difficult to hold on to in-demand striker Nicky Maynard this summer.
The 21-year-old has scored 35 goals in 57 starts for the first team since coming through the club's Academy scheme and his run of 11 goals in seven matches towards the end of last season did much to keep Alex in League One.
Holland told the club's official website: "It goes without saying that the phone call I'm dreading the most is the one concerning Nicky.
"In an ideal world the last thing we want to be doing is lose our main match-winner, but for the smaller clubs that's the reality of life.
"When we sign the younger players or scholars and ask them to extend their contracts with us, we inform them that we'd never stand in their way if the right offer ever came in for them and for the club.
"Nicky's been here since he was eight and only last year he signed a contract extension.
"But we all know Nicky will go eventually and no-one will deserve it more than him. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that that day is as far away as it possibly can be."