A DIEHARD Crewe Alex fan has expressed his passion in words.

Last week, Jules Hornbrook saw three years of work reach its conclusion as his book, entitled 'The Gradi Years', hit the shelves.

The book chronicles Dario's arrival at Crewe Alexandra back in 1983 and the club's outstanding transformation during his reign from perennial Fourth Division strugglers to one with First Division pride.

Local lad Jules has been following the Alex for 24 years, seeing the mighty reds for the first time in 1976, aged 10.

Well known among supporters for his work on the fanzine Super Dario Land, Jules has enjoyed almost every second of work he put into the book's composition.

"I first had the idea the season we got promoted at Wembley about putting something together to detail how Dario has transformed the club and chronicle what has happened to date," said Jules.

"The more I met Dario while compiling the book, the more I realised how he has something to do with everything at the club, the financial side, board decisions. It really is amazing what he has achieved.

"I hope the book is something that all the fans can enjoy."

It's a top quality account of the club's last 17 years, bringing back some great memories for supporters, facts you never knew and some interesting comments from the Alex boss and others connected with the club.

Most of all it details a remarkable feat in the world of football that the town and people in it should be proud of.

The Gradi Years is available from the Club Shop, at Ottakers and Oracle bookshops and in town, priced at £9.99.

The GUARDIAN has a copy of The Gradi Years signed by the Crewe boss himself in a special competition.

To stand a chance of winning it just tell us in what position Crewe finished after completing their first season in Division One after gaining promotion at Wembley in 1997.

Answers should be sent to The Gradi Years competition, Crewe and Nantwich Guardians, 42, High Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 7BN.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.