Baxter basking in decade of success at Crusaders

Long-serving Crusaders FC manager Stephen Baxter highlighted "stability and continuity" as the biggest achievements of his reign as he celebrated ten years in charge of the north Belfast club at the weekend.

The Northern Irish Premiership leaders are closing in on their first league title in 18 years, but they were a far different proposition when Baxter took over on 22 February 2005. The 49-year-old had enjoyed championship success with Crusaders as a player in 1994/95 and 1996/97 and he felt compelled to "answer an SOS" from his old side when they came to him embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

"I remember a journalist warning me in February 2005 that I was taking on a massive job, but this club is in my blood," he explained. "I knew they were in trouble at that time. I wanted to help. I told then chairman Jim Semple that I'd walk over broken glass for them. That's how I felt. I had no hesitation taking the job."

So much so that he did not even sign a contract, and with nine games left in the season, his tenure was initially meant to be short term. Crusaders succumbed to the drop in 2005, yet Baxter opted to stay on and masterminded an immediate return to the top flight the following campaign.

With a core group of seasoned pros and talented youngsters, including captain Colin Coates and midfielder Chris Morrow, he then helped re-establish the team as a force in Northern Irish football. Senior honours and historic landmarks followed, including a first Irish Cup in 41 years in 2008/09, the County Antrim Shield in 2009/10 and the League Cup in 2011/12.

The Seaview men were also crowned all-Ireland champions in 2012, defeating Derry City FC in the final of the Setanta Cup, a cross-border tournament featuring leading clubs from both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

"For a club this size to be crowned all-Ireland champions was a huge achievement – a miracle in many ways," said Baxter. "It was also very special to lead the club to its first Irish Cup in a long time in 2009.

"Those are highlights in terms of trophies, but one of the biggest achievements of the past ten years is the stability and continuity the club boasts now. Someone told me we haven't been outside the top five in the league for the past seven years. That pleases me.

"We have put good foundations in place, the stadium has been upgraded, we're in a stronger place financially and we have good youth structures in place. We're in a healthy position on and off the pitch."

With eight matches left this term, Crusaders lie six points clear of second-placed Linfield FC and 11 points above last year's champions Cliftonville FC, who are fourth. As a result, the Shore Road side have high hopes of clinching their first league crown since 1997, when Baxter was a towering goal poacher.

"We've got ourselves in a decent position, but there is still a long way to go," he said. "The title race is reaching its climax and every game now will be massive for us. It'll be a challenge, but we are playing with confidence and relishing the tests ahead."