Crusaders Strikers F.C.

Crusaders Strikers
Nickname(s)Strikers / The Crues
Founded1992
GroundSeaview, Belfast
Capacity3,383
ChairmanStephen Calvert
ManagerJonny Tuffey
LeagueWomen's Premiership
20245th
Websitehttp://www.crusadersfc.com

Crusaders Strikers Football Club is a women's association football club based in North Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1992 as Newtownabbey Strikers and became a member of the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association in 1994. In 2009, Newtownabbey Strikers amalgamated with Crusaders F.C. to become Crusaders Strikers.[1]

The team has won the Women's Premier League of Northern Ireland six times

First-team squad

As of 4 February 2024[2]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF Northern Ireland NIR Caitlyn Hamilton
4 MF Northern Ireland NIR Amy McGivern
6 MF Northern Ireland NIR Heather Mearns
9 FW Northern Ireland NIR Faith Johnston
10 FW Northern Ireland NIR Mairead McCann
11 MF Northern Ireland NIR Leah McEvoy
12 DF Northern Ireland NIR Aimee McNeill
13 FW Northern Ireland NIR Morganne Beggs
15 DF Northern Ireland NIR Julie Nelson (captain)
17 DF Northern Ireland NIR Abby Redmond
18 DF Northern Ireland NIR Lisa Armour
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 FW United States USA Meghan Ingram
25 MF Northern Ireland NIR Kerry Eddis
26 FW Northern Ireland NIR Lucy Kirgan
33 DF Northern Ireland NIR Beth Chalmers
35 MF Northern Ireland NIR Zoe Rodgers
44 GK Northern Ireland NIR Maddy Harvey-Clifford
46 FW Northern Ireland NIR Emily Wilson
70 DF Northern Ireland NIR Rachel McLaren
76 FW Northern Ireland NIR Darcey Boyle
88 MF Northern Ireland NIR Jessica Rea

European record

In UEFA competitions the strikers have achieved two draws so far against FC Clujana Cluj and Maccabi Holon. The club played in the 2010–11 UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round hosting the mini-tournament[3] but lost all their games.

UEFA Women's Cup:

UEFA Women's Champions League:

Northern Ireland Internationals

 Northern Ireland internationals
 Northern Ireland U19 internationals
  • Beth Chalmers
  • Faith Johnston
  • Maddy Harvey-Clifford
  • Jessica Rea
  • Sasha Clare
  • Holly Otter
  • Rachel McLaren

Titles

Winners (6): 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012[4]
Winners (2): 2005, 2011 [5]

Crusaders Strikers Football Development Centre/Girls Academy

Crusaders Strikers have the most established girls' Football Development Centre in Northern Ireland. Catering for girls aged 4–18 were the players can develop their football skills in a safe and inclusive environment.

The FDC aims to bring girls through the pathway to senior football, while also promoting lifetime participation.

The FDC has had a lot of success over the years, with a lot of the current first team being made up of academy graduates.

The FDC/academy philosophy is 'to develop good players and good people.'

References

  1. ^ "Leaguewebsite.co.uk has now closed".
  2. ^ "Teams". Crusaders Football Club. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Potsdam lead 2010/11 lineup | UEFA Women's Champions League". 14 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Crues too good for Glens". shekicks.net. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Crusaders Strikers Win Coca Cola Women's Irish Cup". www.irishfa.com. 21 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.