CREWE Alex players held a promotion party with a difference as the champagne was uncorked to herald the club's return to League One after a four-year absence.

Railwaymen fans will have happy memories of celebrating with their players at Prenton Park back in 1989, the Deva Stadium in 1994, at Wembley twice in 1997 and 2012 and Loftus Road back in 2003.

The coronavirus pandemic may have ruled out them joining in the party this year, but the club ensured they were still able to savour the 2019/2020 success by launching a You Tube video of the trophy and medal presentations this evening.

It showed Alex skipper Perry Ng taking delivery of the League Two runners-up trophy from chairman John Bowler amid happy scenes at the indoor dome at the club's Reaseheath training complex.

Boss Dave Artell and assistant Kenny Lunt were joined by members of the backroom staff, the majority of the victorious squad who were all practising social distancing, as well as some of the club's new directors.

One hundred and nineteen days have elapsed since Crewe were last in action when they beat Stevenage 3-1 at Gresty Road. It was a victory which took them to the summit of League Two, but after the season was paused on March 13 and then abandoned, its outcome was settled on a points-per-game, PPG, basis which saw the Alex finish off second behind Swindon.

But amid the acrimony triggered by PPG to settle the final placings in League One - where Crewe are now bound - there could be no doubt of the outcome in League Two where Crewe's promotion was deserved after they won 20 of their 37 games in a truncated season, leading the way with a brand of attacking football that saw them chalk up 67 goals.

Dave Artell said: "We set our stall to get promoted as I knew there was enough talent and there was no doubt in my mind.

"We thoroughly deserved the rewards we have achieved. The fans were absolutely terrific last season. They have been robbed of the last four home games and all this emotion, but hopefully we can give them that next season. Hopefully, we will see them back at Gresty Road soon."

For Crewe Chairman John Bowler it was his sixth promotion and he told his players: "You have achieved our wildest dreams. We had ambition at the beginning of the season, but for you to come through and achieve promotion we do appreciate and honour what you have done.

"It is a pity that the fans can't be with us as they really would have had a wonderful time, but we thank them all."

The presentation also included the end-of-season player awards and a minute's applause for former defender Christian Mbulu, who tragically passed away in May, was held.

Ryan Wintle was crowned player of the season with the midfielder pipping Charlie Kirk and Ng. Wintle also claimed the players' player of the season. Midfielder Tommy Lowery's outstanding flick and finish against Salford City last September secured him the goal of the season award.

Scholar of the season was won by recently-turned professional Nathan Woodthorpe; the breakthrough player award went to young keeper Will Jaaskelainen; and Academy Operations Manager Aidan Callan was presented with a special award for his work with the club's youth set-up.

It has been a good week for the club amid the uncertainty of knowing when football in the lower leagues will resume. Boss Artell boosted his frontline resources by signing former Accrington Stanley frontman Offrande Zanzala on a one-year deal and the week ended with veteran striker Chris Porter penning fresh terms for next season.