Old friends remembered

North Belfast Derby rivalry was put aside before kick-off at Solitude this afternoon as Cliftonville and Crusaders came together to honour two dedicated Club servants who sadly passed away recently.

An impeccably-observed minute’s silence was held in memory of Freddie Jardine – our beloved ex-player, physiotherapist and President who served Ireland’s Oldest Football Club with distinction for 73 years and whose family were in attendance on a day that also included 60 seconds of tributary applause in the 73rd minute – as well as Crusaders’ former Tea Lady Madge Hunter, who had been a fixture at Seaview for more than half a century prior to her passing last weekend.

No doubt both would have approved of the typically feisty and passionate nature of the match and we are proud of the manner with which both sets of supporters conducted themselves in honouring the memory of two legends of football in North Belfast.