STEVE Jones' much-heralded move from Leigh RMI was completed when he signed for First Division Crewe Alexandra.

Leigh had agreed a £150,000 fee with Crewe and Tranmere but the Merseysiders wanted to have a look at Jones in training before finalising the deal.

Crewe were prepared to agree terms straight away with the goal-scoring winger and he had no hesitation in signing on.

"It is a lifesaver for the club," admitted chairman Chris Healey. "It is equivalent to putting 5-600 people on our gates. It sounds a lot of money but there are a lot of overheads in the Conference and we only have a small following."

The deal includes a down payment and further staged payments depending on appearances plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Crewe will also play two friendlies.

Meanwhile, RMI manager Steve Waywell today likened his financial plight with that of Wanderers' boss Sam Allardyce.

Bolton are set for a £30million cash bonanza from their promotion to the Premiership but Allardyce will only have a small part of that to spend on players. Waywell may be four divisions lower in the Conference but faces a similar situation.

Waywell will only have a small amount of the £150,000 Jones fee to spend on new players.

"Wanderers are in the same situation as ourselves," he admitted. "The revenue they get is needed to keep the club going. Like myself Allardyce knows that the club comes first before spending money on players.

"Leigh has always been in the black and if we start to make big money signings and pay out silly wages the club will quickly go down. We need to keep a steady ship."