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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING DATE IS SET FOR 15TH MAY

The Annual General Meeting of Crusaders Football Club will take place on Thursday 15th May at 7.30pm upstairs in Crusaders Social Club. Full members are entitled to attend and Season Tickets must be shown to gain entry to the meeting on the night.

CRUSADERS LOSE AGAINST GLENTORAN

It was a day to forget for Crusaders as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Glentoran today. It didn't help matters when Colin Coates was shown a straight red card for throwing a punch in the second half and then to learn that Portadown had drawn against Linfield at Windsor Park to close the gap in the fight for third place.

At a sun kissed Oval the game kicked off with Crusaders getting an early chance but Jordan Owens header was well saved by Elliott Morris. One minute later Glentoran got a free kick 25 yards out from the Crusaders goal and up stepped Curtis Allen with a curling effort into the bottom corner to put Glentoran one up after 6 minutes. Elliott Morris was alert again to stop Declan Caddell. It was at times end of season stuff from both sides as they both struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Again Morris was alert to stop Richard Clarke from scoring and a Colin Coates effort was easily saved. Crusaders where awarded a penalty when Declan Caddell was pulled down by Elliott Morris. Nathan Hanley stepped up to take it but Morris made an excellent save to his left. It fell to Hanley again but his header was kicked off the line by Scullion and it was still Glentoran who led. The game slowed down from then to the half time time whistle and it ended 1-0 to Glentoran.

Gary McCutcheon replaced Jordan Owens at half time to change Crusaders attacking options but it was Declan Caddell who tested Morris early on but again the keeper saved. Glentoran had the upper hand and pressured the Crusaders defence. They where nearly two up on one occasion only Scullion could not get a shot in when well placed. David McAllister had a good shot dip just over the bar and not long after was replaced by David McMaster. The game then fell quiet for a spell before Gary McCutcheon pulled a shot wide and Sean O'Neill then had to be alert to keep Glentoran out. Glentoran went 2-0 ahead on 69 minutes when a John McGuigan shot bounced awkwardly in front of O'Neill and spun over him into the net. Five minutes later Crusaders where down to 10 men when Colin Coates was shown a straight red card for throwing a punch at Stephen Gordon and three minutes later Glentoran where down to 10 men when Curtis Allen kicked out on the ground at Declan Caddell and another straight red was shown. On 83 minutes it was 3-0 when a Danny McKee header from a corner was headed down and it somehow bounced over O'Neill into net. Andy Smith replaced Josh Robinson and with little further action the ref blew the whistle and Glentoran had won 3-0.

Crusaders now lead Portadown by one point after they drew with Linfield at Windsor Park and it's now critical three points are collected on Tuesday afternoon when Crusaders travel to Lurgan to play Glenavon.

WALTER MCFARLAND TO ATTEND PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS NIGHT

It has been confirmed today that Crusaders legend Walter McFarland and his wife will be attending the Player of the Year Awards Night at Seaview on Saturday 26th April.

Walter of course captained the League winning Crusaders side in 1973 and it will be great to listen to the man on the night about that great side and his time at Crusaders.

See below about how you can attend the awards night and get in early to avoid disappointment.

Saturday 26th April sees the Annual Player of the Year Awards handed out by the various Supporters Clubs to the players they think deserve recognition for the 2013-14 season. It is also a night that all supporters can come together and thank the team for their efforts and the team can thank the supporters for supporting them all season.

Tickets are now on sale and can be bought from any member of the Crusaders Fans Project on match days or by contacting Phil Melville on 07967459738. Cost per person is £15 for dinner and the awards ceremony or £5 for the entertainment later in the evening only.

Support what is always a great night and show your appreciation to Stephen Baxter, the backroom staff and the squad for all they have done this season.

200 CLUB SPECIAL DRAW TO BE MADE IN JUNE

As the success of the 200 Club continues month on month the 200 Club Committee have once again announced another special "£100 extra draw" for the month of June. Six lucky members of the 200 Club will win one off payments of £100 in the draw made after the usual 200 Club main draw at the end of June.

To be in the extra draw the member must be fully paid up for May and June. It's that simple. Please see Ronnie Millar, Phil Melville, John Alexander or Michael Long by the end of the Cliftonville game with the money for May and June and your ball will be in the draw. Don't forget we are also collecting the money for Aprils draw at the Glentoran, Glenavon and Cliftonville games.

As always get involved and if you aren't in you can't win.

COACH AND PARENT TO RUN MARATHON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUTH

Our Mini Hatchets coach Jimmy McMurran & U13's parent Neil Lewis are running in the Belfast Marathon to raise money for Crusaders Youth Academy & Mini Soccer Centre.
They are also promoting on the day our Pulsation Project funded by Heart Research & Subway

We would ask that you make a donation via the paypal button once the details are made available however large or small and also leave messages of support on the Twitter (@CruesAcademy) and Facebook (Crusaders Youth Academy) pages as Jimmy & Neil are putting a lot of hard work into supporting our stars of the future.

Good Luck Jimmy & Neil

CRICKET AT SEAVIEW FOR CHRIS MORROW TESTIMONIAL

Yes.....you have read it correctly!!! Cricket is coming to Seaview!!!!

The latest fund raiser announced for Chris Morrows Testimonial Year is a 20/20 Cricket match between two sides consisting of Supporters and players...in fact anyone who wants to play.

The 20/20 Cricket match will be played on Saturday 14th June from 12.30-4.30pm. Cost to play will be £20 or £3 entrance fee to watch with all money going to Chris Morrows Testimonial Fund.

Each player will bowl 2 overs each and when batting all players have to declare at 30 runs. Cricket Bats, Pads, Stumps and Balls will be provided and proper umpires will be in attendance also to make the game as professional as possible. There will also be two "drink " breaks during the game.

Already six players have signed up to play including Chris himself and captain Colin Coates. If you want to put your name down to play in this historic game phone Philip Melville on 07967 459738 to register your interest. The advice is too get in early to avoid disappointment as it is expected to catch everyone's imagination.

Let's support this unique testimonial function for Chris and at the same time be the first people to play or watch Cricket at Seaview.

Pics courtesy of SERC, Jackie Henry & Hammy McClements

	TEAM	PL	PT
1st	Cliftonville	36	79
2nd	Linfield	36	76
3rd	Crusaders	36	63
4th	Portadown	36	62
5th	Glentoran	36	53
6th	Glenavon	36	51
7th	Ballymena United	36	36
8th	Dungannon Swifts	36	42
9th	Coleraine	36	38
10th	Ballinamallard Utd.	36	35
11th	Warrenpoint Town	36	33
12th	Ards	36	23