Stephen Baxter pays tribue to Crusaders legend Declan Caddell

His manager Stephen Baxter was gushing with praise for the 34-year-old, who had just pulled on the famous red and black jersey of Crusaders for the final time.

The North Belfast side had somehow come back from the dead to pip gutsy Ballymena United for the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup at a colourful Windsor Park.

It looked a lost cause for Caddell and his team mates as they trailed to an early own goal by Robbie Weir. His dream exit, a long way off.

The Crues huffed and puffed without ever creating anything tangible – until the third of four added minutes. Paul Heatley whipped in a corner kick from the left, goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey got up above everyone else to flick the ball to Josh Robinson, who poked home at the back post – incredible!

If that was tough for the Sky Blues to swallow, worse was to follow. Neither side appeared capable of winning it in the 30 minutes of extra time – until deep into injury time, Heatley’s free kick was cleared to Johnny McMurray on the edge of the box and he buried it – unbelievable! The Irish Cup was the first trophy Caddell won in his illustrious career with the Crues – and it was fitting it was also his last.

“There will never be another Declan Caddell, we will never see the like of him again,” purred Baxter. “He has given 20 years’ service to our football club; he came in as a raw teenager.

“By his own admission, he’ll admit he’s not a great footballer as regards of how he passes it (the ball) and all that sort of stuff. He wouldn’t have the qualities of a Ben Kennedy. But what Declan Caddell has, is the heart of a lion.

“He has the work rate of three men . . . he wins battles. He was the first name on my team sheet for 10 full years. He out worked and out ran everyone in