Crusaders were desperate to reach Europe for Stephen Baxter, says thrilled Jordan Owens

He will now remain in charge for Crusaders’ European games in the summer before handing over to new boss Declan Caddell.

It was a fitting tribute from a player that has flourished under Baxter — both helped the north Belfast club became a driving force in Irish League football.

Since Baxter took charge of the Crues in 2005, he’s not only picked up an incredible 17 pieces of silverware, but he’s led the club into European football on a regular basis.

When Owens bagged that dramatic, last-gasp winner for a 3-2 victory against Oran Kearney’s Coleraine at Seaview on Bank Holiday Monday, it guaranteed the Crues another venture onto foreign soil — the 14th time Baxter has achieved that.

But they did it the hard way. Although Jamie McGonigle shot the Bannsiders into an early lead, the home team hit back through Jarlath O’Rourke and Daniel Larmour. When Josh Carson rammed home a sensational 35-yarder, extra-time looked more of a probability than a possibility — Owens had other ideas.

“We knew this was Stephen’s last game, we desperately wanted to do it for him in his final game in charge — that was for him,” said big-hearted Owens.

“It was an incredible day for us in terms of the club going forward. The European purse means so much, but you couldn’t have written the script, or the ending.

“I’m gutted Stephen’s going... he is the only manager I’ve worked under for 18 or 19 years.

“He’s helped me all the way. I ran to thank him after I scored that goal because he’s been a massive influence on me. It was fitting I got the last goal under his tenure — it means so much to me. Stephen is going to be sadly missed at the football club.”

Although there was a bit of doubt whether Jordan Forsythe’s initial shot crossed the line, Owens insists it was his goal.

“Jordan (Forsythe) hit it well, but it took a nick off me to deflect into the net,” laughed Owens. “Like all strikers, I’m claiming it, it’s my goal. Jordan (Forsythe) had no problems with that, he even said it was my goal.

“The ball was in the net, that was the main thing, regardless of who put it there.

“I thought we tired and were a bit leggy towards the end, but credit to the boys, they dug in deep.

“We know our standards have been poor this season — they were not at the level expected of a Crusaders team.

“But to reach European football again is a massive boost for everyone, qualifying for Europe is so important for the club going forward and for the new manager. European football is massive for any Irish League club, with the revenue it generates.

“To do it the way we done it, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

On his future under new boss Caddell, Owens added: “I have another year left of my contract. I’ll sit down to see what happens.

“I want to stay involved. I’ll be doing my coaching badges in another couple of weeks; I want to get into that end of it. I’m currently taking the Under-18 team.

“I’m happy; I love this club. It means so much to me. Declan (Caddell) is like me, he’s been here a lifetime. He knows the club inside out. It’s a big job for him, but I’ve no doubt it will go well for him.

“There always has been a great team spirit in our dressing room over the years and I know he’ll carry that on.”

Owens also paid tribute to his strike partner of many years, Paul Heatley, who decided to hang up the boots after the win over Coleraine.

“Most of my goals came from Heats, he’s had an enormous number of assists here,” he went on.

“What a player. I was trying to get him to stay on for another year; I was hoping he’d change his mind.

“I think he could play until he’s 45 if he wanted to, he’s so fit. But nothing can be taken away from what Paul has done for this football club.”