STEVE Jones' on-off move from Leigh RMI was completed on Tuesday 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 free-scoring winger and he had no hesitation in moving to Gresty Road.

It is understood that RMI will received £75,000 immediately with the balance coming after Jones has made 60 appearances. There is also a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

"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 fee will give Waywell some spending power as Leigh prepare for their second season in the Conference.

Waywell has three new players on his shopping list. Heading the queue is a midfielder who played in the Conference last the season; the second is another midfielder released by a league club and the third is a former Bolton player who is currently in Ireland.

Waywell is also pleased with the fixtures for the new Conference season despite an hectic couple of months.

Leigh face an incredible 12 games in the opening six weeks but the frantic schedule suits Waywell.

"It is usual that we have a busy start but that suits me fine as we can get quite a few games out of the way before the bad weather arrives," he added.

The Leigh boss was also happy to kick-off at Hilton Park against last season's strugglers Hayes.

"It will not be easy but I am pleased to have a home game to start off with, as we then have two tough trips to Doncaster and newcomers Margate."

AUGUST

18 Hayes...(H)

21 Doncaster... (A)

25 Margate... (A)

27 Northwich... (H)

SEPTEMBER

1 Telford...(A)

4 Southport...(H)

8 Stevenage...(H)

11 Nuneaton...(A)

15 Dagenham/Redbridge...(A)

18 Chester...(H)

22 Farnborough...(H)

29 Yeovil...(A)

OCTOBER

2 Morecambe...(A)

6 Hereford...(H)

8 Forest Green...(H)

13 Barnet...(A)

20 Woking...(H)

NOVEMBER

3 Scarborough...(A)

10 Dover...(H)

24 Boston...(A)

DECEMBER

1 Hayes...(A)

15 Doncaster...(H)

26 Stalybridge...(A)

29 Margate...(H)

JANUARY

1 Stalybridge...(H)

5 Southport...(A)

19 Telford...(H)

26 Northwich...(A)

FEBRUARY

2 Morecambe...(H)

9 Hereford...(A)

16 Barnet...(H)

23 Forest Green...(A)

MARCH

2 Chester...(A)

9 Nuneaton...(H)

16 Stevenage...(A)

23 Dagenham/Redbridge...(H)

30 Woking...(A)

APRIL

1 Scarborough...(H)

6 Dover...(A)

13 Boston...(H)

20 Yeovil...(H)

27 Farnborough...(A)