DAVE Artell paid tribute to former Crewe Alex chairman John Bowler who stepped down from his role in the wake of the Sheldon review.

The long-serving chairman, a member of the club's board of directors since 1980, revealed when he announced his resignation last Thursday that it had been his intention to do so after the publication of Clive Sheldon's inquiry into child sexual abuse in football.

Crewe were criticised in the barrister's lengthy report for not doing more to prevent serial paedophile Barry Bennell's abuse of young footballers at the club.

Mr Bowler served as chairman from 1987, and during most of Bennell's employment at Gresty Road where the deviant coach was heavily involved in the development of the club's youth's scheme.

While the club's hierarchy at that time, including Mr Bowler, came under scrutiny from Sheldon, current boss Artell says it should not be forgotten the work the outgoing chairman has put in over many decades.

"John is a good guy, I can't say a bad word about him. He's been terrific for this football club and he's helped build this football club into what it is today," said the Crewe boss.

"He's helped me immensely, helped me when I was Academy manager and as the first team manager. From a personal point of view he's been terrific for me and he is a friend.

"He's going to be a big miss for this football club, but we move forward."

Former vice-chairman Charles Grant has taken on the role of acting chairman and is widely tipped to become Crewe's new chairman when fellow directors vote at a board meeting in the next fortnight.