'It breaks my heart': Former Crusaders manager devastated by current situation at Irish League club
Stephen Baxter insists “it breaks my heart” to see former club Crusaders in serious trouble at the bottom of the Premiership table and fighting to preserve top-flight status.
Baxter starred for the Crues as a player before enjoying almost 20 years as manager, guiding the North Belfast club to three league titles, four Irish Cup crowns, three Co Antrim Shields, a League Cup and their famous Setanta Cup triumph in 2012.
He took charge of almost 1,000 matches at Seaview, leading them to European qualification 13 times, and helped to rebuild Crusaders after they dropped into the First Division in 2006.
They’re at threat of relegation once again this term with Declan Caddell’s side sitting just one point above basement club Glenavon in the race to avoid an automatic drop.
Baxter’s Carrick piled further misery on the Crues with a 6-1 weekend win at Taylors Avenue as they strengthened their grip on seventh spot.
Crusaders are currently enduring an 11-game winless league run and have conceded a Premiership-high 78 goals – 15 more than nearest rivals Glenavon.
With only four matches left to play – the Lurgan Blues have five due to international call-ups delaying their Mid-Ulster derby date with Portadown – Crusaders will almost certainly either face a nervy relegation play-off or be guaranteed a Championship spot next term.
Having enjoyed so much success and being able to reflect on many happy memories from his time at the club, Baxter is devastated to see them in their current predicament.
"Any game of football in the Irish League, to win by that margin, is something else,” Baxter told Carrick’s media channel. “We will be pleased with our day’s work.
"I feel particularly sorry for my old club – 19 years as manager, and to see them in the trouble that they’re in doesn’t please me, it breaks my heart actually.
"Whilst my heart is now here, there’s a large part of it there, and to see the team struggling the way they are is disappointing.
"I wish them well in their next number of games, wherever that takes them, but it’s a tough place to be for them.”
Crusaders will next be in action on April 7 when they host Bangor before welcoming Portadown to Seaview on April 11.