CREWE played their first ever game against Charlton at The Valley back on November 15, 1997 during their debut season in Division One/Championship.

Yet many fans may better recall the action at Gresty Road the night before. There were as many goals and a star showing from home favourite Seth Johnson, but wearing his country's colours.

England under-18s were in town under the charge of FA Technical Director Howard Wilkinson and Johnson had the crowd of 4,638 roaring in delight when he despatched a thunderous half-volley from 25 yards into the far corner.

It was confirmation, if any were needed, that the young midfielder was upward bound. His combative style endeared him to the fans and ensured Crewe were not a soft touch in the middle of the park after promotion to the second tier.

Premier League clubs were soon tracking the Devon-raised Johnson, who bedded himself into the midfield with skill and spirit during the Alex's 1997/98 and 1998/99 campaigns.

But when Derby came calling before the 1999 transfer deadline Johnson chose to stay on to help fight a successful battle against relegation, a gesture that went down in Alex folklore as did the £3 million fee which Derby received that summer when the move eventually went ahead.

It was used to cover the cost of Gresty Road's new stand, which was affectionately known as "Seth's Stand" in the aftermath. Ironically, Derby may have been inclined to herald Johnson in the same manner as the £7m transfer fee which saw the player move to Leeds in 2001 was spent on the Rams' new training ground facilities.

Johnson was unearthed by chance on a pre-season tour in Dawlish. After a match was called off the young schoolboy, who had turned up to watch the game, was invited by Dario Gradi to train with Crewe's players.

Soon he was in the club's youth scheme and heading north to Cheshire for his schooling at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, before arriving on the first team scene aged 17 in September 1996 and during the promotion run-in the following year.

Johnson was to later to earn England under-21 caps and there was a memorable one senior cap against Italy under Peter Taylor, three years after he starred in this under-18s fixture.

That night he controlled a Danny Cadamarteri cross and fired home to put the young Lions 3-1 ahead cheered on by hundreds of Crewe schoolchildren admitted into the ground for free.

As well as the flamboyant Cadamarteri, Johnson's England team mates included some familiar names, including Stoke's Andy Griffin, Michael Ball of Everton and Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds).

Up front was another Leeds youngster Lee Matthews, who was to have a short stint with Crewe nearly a decade later. There was another Alex youngster involved that night too – defender David Wright was an unused sub.

But it was Johnson who eclipsed Cadamarteri's showing when setting up Matthews who crossed for the Everton attacker to level the game. Notts Forest's Richard Cooper then put England ahead with Johnson striking the third midway through the second half before the Russians scored late on.

It was a competitive European Championship game too with England's success ensuring progress to the finals in Cyprus the following year.

Johnson's involvement was welcome for he had missed Crewe's previous three games with an ankle injury and was not involved the next day at Charlton where Kevin Street lobbed the Alex back into contention.

They had trailed to goals from Keith Jones and Bradley Allen and when a Shaun Smith free kick sailed straight in from 35 yards after the break they were level. But the Addicks clinched a 3-2 win with a late strike from Matty Holmes.

That game is one of only four times Crewe have met tomorrow's opponents at Gresty Road – with Crewe losing all four, including the last fixture at the Valley in January 2000 when Graham Stuart scored the only goal of the game for Charlton.

England U-18s 3, Russia 2. Gresty Road, Friday, Nov 14, 1997