Crusaders Promoted

**Crusader Al** · 27/03/2006, 1:48 PM

After defeating nearest challengers, Donegal Celtic 3-2 on Saturday Crusaders have been promoted, to where we belong, back to the Premier League.

With two games left and a W18 D1 L1 record, Crusaders have returned after just one season in the First Division.

Manager Stephen Baxter (and assistant Terry Moore) have done a fantatastic job at Seaview this season. Crusaders have also won the Irish Intermediate League Cup and Steel and Sons Cup this year.

Finally, must also congratulate DC for the seasons rivalry, hospitality and manner in which they took defeat on Saturday. Great to see their club on Saturday full of supporters from both teams, freely mixing enjoying each others company. (Football is the real winner ...)

**Speranza** · 27/03/2006, 2:22 PM

Good to see North Belfast's biggest club back in the Premier. If only Cliftonville could get relegated it would be quality.

Do Donegal Celtic go into a playoff with second bottom in the Premier now? Would be great to see a West Belfast club in the top flight.

**Crusader Al** · 27/03/2006, 2:42 PM

Yes DC will play either Larne, Institute or Glenavon in the Promotion / Relegation Play-Off ...

Would personally love to see DC join us in the IPL .....

**glentoranfan** · 27/03/2006, 4:06 PM

Aye, congratulations to Crusaders. They are one of the traditional teams in the IPL so it is great to see them back.

**-lamb-** · 27/03/2006, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by gonzo

Cant see them having much impact though in the IL next season though. Hope Donegal C. make it up also......far too much dead wood in the IL,IMO.

and what exactly will dc offer that would make them better than "dead wood"?
they don't have much of a crowd, they aren't a team anyone in the premier league should be too worried about and have made absolutely no attempt at all to bring their ground up to even minimum standard despite looking like being the playoff team all season.
have you ever been to their ground? no turnstiles, an elongated, flat, gravel under foot bus shelter along about a quarter of one side for cover and um.............well, apart from a good social club and probably reasonable changing rooms, thats about it.
apparently they aren't short of a bob or two so over this season would have been a great time to push forward and improve things, ready for any promotion, but they didn't and imo have missed a good opportunity.there may not even be a playoff because of this lack of improvement.
as things stand larne are in the premier playoff spot and we've already beaten crusaders, dc and carrick from that division this season, bring bigger crowds and have a reasonable ground (albeit needing work) with prospects looking good for a brand new stadium. we've also made 2 senior finals and another 2 semi finals in the last 3 years.
if you take the teams in comparison who is the dead wood?

ps. well done crues. hopefully be playing you again next season.

**-lamb-** · 27/03/2006, 10:16 PM

i know what you mean but thats already happened with mixed results.
armagh, loughgall, dungannon, institute and the now defunct omagh all spring to mind as examples of this in the last decade or so.
off field, dungannon and institute are probably doing the best. can't see loughgall progressing a lot further tbh. armagh might, too early to tell yet.
as for on the pitch dungannon have a reasonably decent squad but no one else has managed anything more than the established clubs (arguably omagh had a half decent team for a season or two).

**drummerboy** · 28/03/2006, 8:37 AM

Is Liam Dunne still playing with Crusaders?

**Crusader Al** · 28/03/2006, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Is Liam Dunne still playing with Crusaders?

Yes and sadly no ....

Liam has been the engine in our midfield this season, always 100% committed. A great influence on the younger members of the team, both on and off the park.

The fact that he has a hugh round trip (Dublin-Belfast-Dublin) for each game was recongnised by our supporters club who made him "Crusaders Clubman of the Year".

Unfortunately Liam sustained an injury against Banbridge Town, the result being he'll need cartlidge operation. At his age 36, he has to decide is it worth it or not ...

Liam's injury ...