Latest news with #Crues
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caddell 'looking to build something new' at Crues
Declan Caddell has said he has "put his own stamp" on a much-changed Crusaders side for the new Irish Premiership campaign. Caddell led the north Belfast side to a sixth-place finish in his first season in charge after taking over from long-serving manager Stephen Baxter. The Crues have signed a number of young players from Scotland summer window so far but have lost the likes of Philip Lowry, Daniel Larmour and Billy Joe Burns. "Everything has been going well. Obviously, there is a big turnover of players, we were all aware there was going to be a rebuild at the club," Caddell told BBC Sport NI. "We are really happy with the players we have brought in. We have a lot of youth about us, lots of energy, enthusiasm, and a lot of quality as well. They're all gelling and settling in well which is a positive for me. "This is my second year now and it's always difficult coming into a club. Stephen did such a great job but, ultimately, a lot of them were Stephen's players and obviously times change, and I am looking to build something new and put my own stamp on things." Caddell paid tribute to the long-serving players like Lowry and Burns for their contributions to the club but says he is excited to move forward with a younger squad. "It's my responsibility to look after the benefit of the club and where it goes moving forward and big decisions had to be made," Caddell continued. "We're sorry to lose all those players as they were a big fabric of all the success that the club had, but we had to move on. We now have these younger players coming in and they want to make a name for themselves, and that's something for us all to look forward to."
Belfast Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Gambia international goalkeeper will be a real hit at Crusaders, maintains boss Declan Caddell
Beaming head coach Declan Caddell believes Crusaders is the perfect environment for new goalkeeper Musa Dibaga to enhance his game after recruiting the Gambia international to his squad on a two-year deal. The Crues chief has backed the 6'4' shot-stopper, who links up with the north Belfast outfit after a spell with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, to impress the Seaview faithful and prove his worth in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Burns joins Carrick Rangers after Crues departure
Defender Billy Joe Burns will join Carrick Rangers upon the expiration of his contract with Crusaders. The former Crues captain spent 11 years with the Seaview club, making 423 appearances and scoring 33 goals after signing for the north Belfast outfit in 2014. Burns played a key role in helping the club secure three Irish Premiership titles, three Irish Cup victories and two County Antrim Shield triumphs. The 36-year-old also picked up personal accolades, collecting the Ulster Footballer of the Year and NIFWA Footballer of the Year in the 2015-16 season. Before that, Burns spent eight years at Linfield where he also won three Premiership titles and three Irish Cups. His playing time has been restricted by injury in recent seasons, but he will be reunited with former Crues boss Stephen Baxter at Taylors Avenue, something he said attracted him to the club. "I've worked with Stephen for so long, he knows a lot about me, I know a lot about him, so that was quite simple," he told the club's website. "I've spoken with players who have been here before and everyone has had nice things to say, so it was quite an easy decision. "I'm excited for a fresh challenge, something new after a long period at Crusaders, I can't wait to get started." Burns becomes Carrick's second summer signing after another former Crusaders midfielder Aidan Steele arrived from Ards. Elsewhere, Ballymena United have announced the signing of striker Ryan McNickle on a two-year-deal. The 25-year-old arrives from Newry City after scoring 20 goals in the Championship as his side suffered relegation.
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Crusaders skipper to leave club after 11 years at Seaview: ‘He's a leader and a winner'
The defender made an impressive 423 appearances for the Crues, scoring 33 goals in the process. During that time, the north Belfast club won three Irish League titles and three Irish Cups.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Crusaders thrash Larne in Women's League Cup
Crusaders made it two wins from two in the group stage of the Women's League Cup with a big 7-1 victory against Larne at Inver McGuinness gave the Crues an early lead on two signings Michelle McDaid opened her account for the north Belfast side by adding a second four minutes a lively opening to the game, Ella Parker pulled one back for Larne on nine re-established their two-goal cushion after Darcie McNeil scored a penalty before the Quinn then netted a fourth for the Crues in the second got her second and Crusaders' fifth goal again from the penalty spot on 77 Jessica Rea and McDaid scored late to round off the scoring for Jonny Tuffey's side.
