Gradi also indicated that the fans had a role to play in keeping tackling sensible.
And he then went back to Crewe for a three-month loan under Gradi in 1999.
This season he has been ever-present in Dario Gradi's side, scoring three goals in 21 appearances.
Relegation followed the next season, and Gradi left in January 1981 to join Crystal Palace.
Former boss Dario Gradi has taken over as caretaker manager for Saturday's home game with Rotherham United.
"Nicky Maynard used to go into those sliding tackles and ended up breaking his own leg, " recalls Gradi.
Meanwhile, Gradi remains pessimistic about the possibility of striker Clayton Donaldson and winger Byron Moore staying with Crewe.
"The fact we've got outstanding young players is the reason why this club is always vibrant, " Gradi said.
As he now plots promotion from the Second Division, Gradi will now hope to keep hold of Dean Ashton.
Gradi managed Wimbledon FC for three years and made a donation to AFC Wimbledon when they formed in 2002.
"It's a big boost to all the kids in the academy, " Crewe boss Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.
Gradi was appointed as caretaker boss at the Alexandra Stadium after Steve Holland was relieved of his duties in November.
The two barrels of Sedici Gradi (16% abv) are different from each other, one a new fill, one a refill.
Meanwhile, Gradi is convinced that strikers Calvin Zola and Shaun Miller have the potential to play at a higher level.
Fulham's Murphy, once a star graduate of Gradi's academy, inflamed passions with last week's public criticism of several Premier League managers.
"We've known about him for a while and he's different to what we've got, " boss Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.
Crewe manager Dario Gradi re-signed Dugdale in the summer following a trial, having released the 23-year-old former academy player in 2007.
Just before Christmas, Gradi - the longest serving manager in England - had celebrated 1, 000 games in charge of the club.
Gradi, 68, is the longest serving manager in Crewe's history, having taken charge of over 1200 matches between 1983 and 2007.
"Steve has been playing when he would perhaps rather not have been because he was in pain with his shoulders, " said Gradi.
"His contract situation is strange, " manager Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I'm not looking forward to going back to being technical director but I'm sure I'll enjoy it when I get there, " added Gradi.
"There's no point in signing him until the end of the season because he'll be no better than he is now, " said Gradi.
That finally lifted Gradi's men back out of the drop zone - and they held on to seal the victory on a remarkable afternoon.
"He landed on John Brayford's foot in training, and his ankle went up like a balloon, " caretaker manager Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.
"Both players should score more goals and if they start to convert the chances they could go onto become big money sales, " added Gradi.
Only a victory would have given Dario Gradi's side the chance of survival - but ex-Crewe striker Dele Adebola's header gave Coventry a first-half lead.
Holland had taken over from Gradi in the summer of 2007, with the 67-year-old taking up the role of technical director at the Alexandra Stadium.
Justin Cochrane flashed a shot just wide for Crewe just before the interval - and Gradi opted to introduce Higdon for Neil Sorvel at the break.
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