Crusaders FC
Full name	Crusaders Football Club
Nickname(s)	"The Hatchetmen", "The Crues"
Founded	1898
Ground	Seaview, Belfast
Capacity	9,049
Chairman	Jim Semple
Manager	Stephen Baxter
League	Irish Premier League
2005/2006	Irish First Division, 1st (champions)
Home colours Away colours

Crusaders F.C. is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the Irish Premier League. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005, following the sacking of Alan Dornan, who was incidentally the first manager to be sacked in the club's history. Crusaders played junior league football until 1949/50, and during this time they became one of the top junior teams in the country. The dramatic withdrawal of Belfast Celtic from the senior ranks in 1949 resulted in Crusaders being elected in their place in time for the start of the 1949/50 season. Image File history File links Crusaders. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Seaview is a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... The following is an incomplete list of football (soccer) stadia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Irish Football League (IFL), or Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland. ... Image File history File links soccer jersey left arm with red shoulders File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... kit_body. ... Image File history File links soccer jersey right arm with red shoulders File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links soccer jersey left arm with blue shoulders File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... kit_body. ... Image File history File links soccer jersey right arm with blue shoulders File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The Irish Football League (IFL), or Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Seaview is a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Belfast Celtic Badge Belfast Celtic football club was founded in 1891 and was one of the most successful teams in Irish football until sectarian violence forced them to withdraw from the league in 1949. ...

History

Pre-1900

Crusaders Football and Athletic Club was formed in the year 1898. The first meeting of the Club is believed to have been held at 182 North Queen Street, Belfast, the home of Thomas Palmer who, along with James McEldowney, John Hume and Thomas Wade, was a member of the original Committee.

Many names were suggested for the Club including Rowan Star, Cultra United, Queen's Rovers, Mervue Wanderers and Lilliputians. Thomas Wade felt that a name of more international significance should be adopted and he suggested 'Crusaders', after the medieval Christian knights.

Initially the Club was only able to undertake friendly fixtures until they were admitted to some of the local junior Alliance Leagues. Players were compelled to pay a match fee of two old pence before they could take the field. It was strictly no pay - no play.

The very first competitive game of which there is any existing record was on the 10th December, 1898. It came in the North Belfast Alliance against opponents named Bedford and reports state that, "after a splendid game Crusaders won by 5 to 2."

1900-1949

Crusaders went on to compete in the Dunville Alliance, Ormeau Junior Alliance, Alexandra Alliance, Woodvale Alliance and Irish Football Alliance until their election to the Intermediate League in 1921. The Crues became one of the top junior clubs in the country but in spite of winning an impressive collection of junior trophies, including the Intermediate League Championship in 1925/26, all applications for entry to the senior Irish League were turned down. Such was the frustration that consideration was given to making application either to the Scottish Football League or to the League of Ireland. The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland. ... The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...

The team played at a variety of venues before settling at Seaview in 1921. Earlier home venues included the Glen (which later became part of Alexandra Park), Cavehill Road, Simpson's Boiler Fields, Shore Road (opposite the Grove) and Rokeby Park. Seaview was officially opened on Saturday, September 3, 1921 by Mr William Grant, M.P., prior to kick-off in an Intermediate League fixture against Cliftonville Olympic. Seaview is a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ...

World War II meant that there was no football played by the Crues between April 1941-September 1946. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

1949-1976

Belfast Celtic's dramatic withdrawal from the senior ranks in 1949 resulted in Crusaders being elected in their place in time for the start of the 1949/50 season. Their first competitive game as a senior club was on August 20, 1949 and resulted in a 1-0 City Cup win at Portadown. However, the season was tough going for the 'Hatchetmen', as they were known, and they had to apply for re-election after finishing in 11th place out of 12 clubs. Belfast Celtic Badge Belfast Celtic football club was founded in 1891 and was one of the most successful teams in Irish football until sectarian violence forced them to withdraw from the league in 1949. ... Portadown F.C. is a Northern Ireland football club, playing in the Irish Football League. ...

However, as has always been the case, Crusaders never lacked determination. Under the player-managership of Jackie Vernon they recovered to win their first senior trophy in the 1953/4 season by defeating Linfield 2-1 in the final of the Ulster Cup. Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ...

The 1950s were not easy in spite of the presence in the side of some excellent individuals and the end of the 1957/58 season saw another application for re-election.

The 1960s brought some much-needed success. The Crues won the Ulster Cup once more and the County Antrim Shield twice but these successes were overshadowed by two unexpected victories in the Irish Cup Finals of 1967 and 1968 against the might of Glentoran and Linfield respectively. The Crues had arrived! So, too, did European competition as a consequence. Glentoran F.C. are a Northern Irish football club, playing in Belfast. ...

There were other significant happenings in the same decade. In July 1966 the original Social Club, dressing rooms and administration areas were destroyed by fire. They were replaced some four years later by the present bigger and better facilities.

There was more unprecedented success in the 1970s, with the Irish League championship trophy twice finding a home at Seaview, in 1973 and 1976.

1976-2000

The second championship triumph resulted in the never-to-be-forgotten European Cup-tie with Liverpool which saw the brave Cruemen fall to the might of Keegan, Toshack, etc at Anfield by just 2-0. Champions League Logo The UEFA Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between Europes most successful clubs, regarded as the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool. ... Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE (born February 14, 1951 in Armthorpe, South Yorkshire, England)[1] is a former English football coach and one of the all-time greatest players. ... John Benjamin Toshack (born 22 March 1949 in Cardiff) is a Welsh football manager and former player. ...

The home leg which followed was played before a crowd hanging from the rafters that would undoubtedly give the current Health and Safety legislators a heart attack.

Although performances in the 1980s were steady, they certainly were not spectacular and the club paid the penalty of not building on earlier successes. Manager Jackie Hutton had no money with which to buy players but he did the club a great service when he somehow completed the deal which brought Roy Walker to Seaview. Hutton was quick to recognise the leadership qualities in Walker and saw him as his potential successor. Roy Walker is a Northern Irish football personality. ...

At the same time, local businessman Harry Corry, pumped some desperately-needed sponsorship money into the club. As the revival began, southern businessman Tony O'Connell also became involved. It was a partnership that was to produce the most successful spell in the club's history. Harry Corry are a home decor store. ...

Walker took over as player-manager in September 1989, two years after his arrival as a player. One of his first tasks was to apply for re-election as the Crues finished 13th out of 14 clubs.

Walker's sides - he dubbed them "the team with no boots" - went on to win nearly everything in sight whilst wealthier and bigger-supported clubs could only watch and wonder.

There were two further championship titles won (1995 and 1997) whilst Crusaders also finished runners-up in 1993 and 1996. Other trophies won were the County Antrim Shield (1992), Ulster Cup (1993), Gold Cup (1996) and the Stena Line Trophy (1996).

In turn, this meant more expeditions into Europe as the Crues took on teams from Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania and Georgia within a five-year span. World map showing the location of Europe. ...

In addition to the first team and the reserves, teams at Under 16 and Under 18 level were introduced as the club looked to nurture and develop local talent in the area.

Roy Walker resigned as manager in July 1998, just prior to the Club's Centenary Dinner celebrations at Belfast City Hall. Belfast City Hall Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. ...

Since then, lack of funds has seen the Seaview fortunes decline, with Dublin-based managers Aaron Callaghan and Martin Murray both resigning after one year apiece in charge. Aaron Callaghan (8 October 1966) is the current assistant manager and former manager for the Irish football club Longford Town FC. Apart from a recent brief spell as Athlone Town manager, Aaron has been a coach at Longford Town since July 2002. ... Martin Murray was an Irish soccer player who was born in Dublin. ...

Post-2000

Former player Gary McCartney took over the managerial reins in July 2000. The team retained Premier League status after a nail-biting play-off success over Lisburn Distillery in May 2001 but McCartney resigned just over 12 months later because of the limited budget at his disposal. Lisburn Distillery F.C. is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the Irish Football League. ...

Popular veteran defender Alan Dornan was appointed as his successor at the end of June 2002 and the side retained their Premier League status that season under his guidance, although the squad was very inexperienced and often included six or seven teenagers. The emphasis on youth continued in 2003/2004 as the Crues achieved a mid-table finish, their best performance in the post-2000 era to date.

Dornan's next season in charge was not as successful, with his being sacked just after midway through the season, as the Crues lay at the bottom of the table, despite leading the Crues to the County Antrim Shield final, although ultimately they lost in the final to Linfield F.C.. Former striker and fan's favourite Stephen 'Stanley' Baxter was appointed as manager yet, despite an improvement in results, could not keep the club in the league, with the Crues losing out to Glenavon in the relegation playoffs. The relegation was the first time Crusaders had ever been relegated from any league. However they bounced back the following year under Baxter by winning the Irish First Division, the Intermediate League Cup, and Steel & Sons Cup. Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ... Glenavon F.C. is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ... Official logo of the Irish First Division The Irish First Division is the second tier in Northern Irish football. ...

Current Club President is John Mairs, a regular supporter with wife Alice at all games, home and away. Club Chairman and former player Jim Semple is President of the Irish Football League (the first Crusaders official to be elected to the post) and Vice-President of the Irish Football Association.

Crusaders has always drawn its support from the ordinary working people of North Belfast. From these members it elects its Committee and its particular ethos. However, the Club's serious financial plight has become very apparent during recent years and in 2002 consideration was given to changing the structure from one of a membership-based organisation to that of a public limited company. In May 2002, members voted at the AGM against such a change. WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ...

(with thanks to www.crusadersfc.com)

Honours

• Irish Premier Division: 4
  • 1972/73, 1975/76, 1994/95, 1996/97
• Irish Cup: 2
  • 1966/67, 1967/68
• Irish First Division: 1
  • 2005/06
• League Cup: 1
  • 1996/97
• Gold Cup: 2
  • 1985/86, 1995/1996
• Ulster Cup: 3
  • 1953/54, 1963/64, 1993/94
• County Antrim Shield: 5
  • 1959/60, 1964/65, 1968/69, 1973/74, 1991/92'
• Carlsberg Cup: 1
  • 1973/74
• Steel & Sons Cup: 8
  • 1922/23, 1926/27, 1928/29, 1930/31, 1933/34, 1936/37, 1947/48, 2005/06
• Stena Line Trophy Winners: 1
  • 1996/97
• Irish Intermediate League: 9
  • 1922/23, 1925/26, 1926/27, 1928/29, 1930/31, 1932/33, 1937/38, 1938/39, 1948/49
• Intermediate Cup: 3
  • 1926/27, 1937/38, 1938/39
• Intermediate League Cup: 1
  • 2005/06
• McElroy Cup Winners: 3
  • 1929/30, 1931/32, 1947/48
• Irish Football Alliance: 3
  • 1915/16, 1916/17, 1917/18
• Clement Lyttle Trophy: 3
  • 1915/16, 1917/18, 1924/25
• Empire Cup: 1
  • 1905/06
• Polland Cup Winners: 1
  • 1903/04

The Irish Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Northern Ireland. ... Official logo of the Irish First Division The Irish First Division is the second tier in Northern Irish football. ... The Irish League Cup is the third-highest rated competition in domestic Northern Irish football competition after the Irish Premier League and Irish Cup. ... The Gold Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Northern Ireland. ... The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition. ...

Current Playing Squad

as of 1 June 2006 June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

No. Position Player GK Aaron Hogg DF Colin Beggs DF Colin Coates DF Grant Dunlop DF Andy Hunter DF David Magowan DF Davy Munster DF Stephen McBride DF Jonny Nixon DF Barry Spence DF Jeff Spiers (Captain) DF Ryan Wilson

No. Position Player MF Gareth Bond MF Raymond Campbell MF Liam Dunne MF Ciaran Gargin MF Eamon McAllister MF Chris Morrow MF Stephen Shaw MF Gareth Walsh FW David Larmour FW David Rainey FW Darren Stirling

Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... A goalkeeper. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Colin Coates (26th October, 1985) is a soccer player for the Northern Irish football team Crusaders F.C.. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Andrew Andy Hunter was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Liam Dunne (born September 1, 1971) is an Irish soccer player who currently plays for Crusaders in the Irish League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Davy Larmour (born August 23, 1977 in Dundonald) is a footballer with Crusaders F.C.. He plays as a forward and his attacking pace stuns most defenders around Northern Ireland. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Summer transfers

In:

• Raymond Campbell (Ards F.C.)
• Ciaran Gargin (Linfield F.C.)
• Grant Dunlop (Linfield F.C.)
• Jonny Nixon (Dundela F.C.)
• David Larmour (Linfield F.C.)
• Barry Spence (Linfield F.C.)

Out: Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Ards F.C. is a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish First Division, following relegation the previous season from the Premier League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Dundela F.C. (the Duns) is a football team from east Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Davy Larmour (born August 23, 1977 in Dundonald) is a footballer with Crusaders F.C.. He plays as a forward and his attacking pace stuns most defenders around Northern Ireland. ... Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Linfield F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the Irish Premier League. ...

• Steven Livingstone (released)
• Colin Magill (released)
• Kyle McDowell (released)

Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland_(bordered). ...

Non-playing staff