There has been a Kiwi invasion in Newtownabbey as Andy’s family arrive in from his native land for the big day. Since joining Crewe 5 years ago and this season has taken up the role of assistant manager as well as remaining in the playing squad.

Diane has put up with all Andy’s injuries and moans about his football career and has been a regular attender at Crewe games and night’s out. Apparently the happy couple first hit it off when Andy asked Diane did she ‘have a Dingo’ but Diane though he said ‘Lets go to Bingo’ and the rest, as they say, is history!!

The commitee and players of Crewe United wish Andy and Diane all the very best for the big day and hope they enojoy their 3 month Honeymoon in New Zealand!!

Joe Patterson got his managerial career off to a flying start with a comfortable victory in the league opener at Crewe Park. It was a good performance from the Reserves and a reminder to the First team squad that places are up for grabs in both teams this season. The Reserves squad looks as strong as ever with the addition of a few new faces such as Terry McCarthy and Mark Booth, as well as a few old faces like Matt Murphy, Paul Lavery and Marty McCartney all returning to Crewe Park.

The Reserves will hope to chalk up another 3 points this coming Wednesday at Crewe Park (Kick-off 6.30pm) against Stranmillis.

Crewe got their league season off to the perfect start with a superb away win to local rivals Lower Maze. As the Glenavy men looked to put the disappointment of their Steel and Sons Cup exit behind them, they came out of the blocks early and looked confident in the early stages against an experienced Maze side.

The first break through came after ten minutes when Tommy Kempston held off two defenders and hammered the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Crewe were in control at this stage and began to press forward.

Crewe won a corner after twenty five minutes and the ball was cleared by the Maze defence but only as far as Marty McManus. The home goal keeper failed to hold his powerful shot and spilled it to the ever alert Conor McQuillan who slid the ball home to make it two nil.

Crewe’s back line of McStravick, Maye, McCarthy and Haggerty never looked in any trouble and new signing Dan McGonnell didn’t have a save of note to make in the first half.

Half time: 0-2

As the second half began Lower Maze pushed forward in search of a break through to put Crewe under pressure. The introduction of Jonny Banks for the Maze caused Crewe some problems as he began to pull the strings for the home side.

However on the hour mark a good ball in from the Crewe right saw Kempston rise above the Maze keeper and defender Ronan Gault to nod home for his second of the game.

Maze did not give up though and pulled one back after a mistake from McCarthy. They then put Crewe under pressure and McGonnell made a couple of good saves. The Crewe back line held firm though to seal the deserved 3 points and a great start to the league campaign.

Full time: 1-3

Team: McGonnell, McStravick, Maye, McCarthy, Haggerty, Coughlin, Black, McManus, Bingham (c), McQuillan, Kempston. Subs: Teague (80 for McQuillan), Kelly, Rushton

It’s that time again when the anticipation and expectation of a new season is upon us and the excitement builds in changing rooms across the country and the smell of wintergreen and deep heat fills the air!! Crewe’s First team has seen some changes this year and hope’s are high that last season can be improved upon. Thomas McKenna has hung up the boots and has taken over as manager, being assisted by Andy Rushton. Joe Patterson has taken charge of the Reserves and both squads are looking strong.

Crewe have added several new players such as Nicky Maye, Colm McAuley, Guy Boyd, Ryan McGlinchey and Greg Fox. Some old faces have returned as well such as Donard Shannon, Pablo McStravick, Coly Teague, Jim Carson and Matt Murphy. All the additions will no doubt strengthen both squads for the long season ahead.

The first challenge for the First team is this Saturday (14th August) and they face a stiff test against Ballymena United Reserves. Crewe rounded off their pre-season games with a convincing 6-2 win at home to Crumlin Rec, with inform striker Tommy Kempston bagging a hat-trick. The league campaign starts next Tuesday evening away to derby rivals Lower Maze with the added spice of ex Crewe manager Gerry Kerr now in charge of the Maze team.

The Reserve team begin there season on Saturday week (21st August) at home to Guilford Crusaders quickly followed by another home game on the 25th August against Stranmillis.

Hopefully it will be a successful season for the Glenavy men as they seek to build on last season and challenge for honours along the way.

Click here for Pictures of the weekend

It was Friday 31sy July, 1.30pm in Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport when the mighty Crewe touched down and made their way to Warrington in their quest to bring the Peace Cup home to Lisburn for the first time.

The party were greeted by many Warrington Town officials, most notably perhaps Gary Skentelbury who worked so hard to put together a great programme of events for the weekend. It was then off to the Ramada Encore in Warrington which was to be Crewe’s base for the weekend.

A quick stop off to freshen up and it was off to the Peace Centre in Warrington to meet Colin and Wendy Parry who lost their son in the 1993 Warrington bomb. It was a chance to reflect on the reason why Crewe’s bond with Warrington has become so strong over the years and also upon the great work that the Peace Centre has done out of something so tragic. There was a brief question and answer session with the Lisburn Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter and Head of Lisburn Leisure Services, Councillor David Archer showing great interest in the work of the Peace Centre.

Next it was off to the Town Hall for a Civic Reception hosted by Warrington Mayor, Councillor John Joyce. It was a great occasion in superb surroundings and after a few speeches a lovely meal was served to the party.

After a long day of travelling and events the Crewe lads briefly visited Cantilever Park, home of Warrington Town F.C. and venue for the Peace Cup match the following day. It was off to bed for a good nights rest before the game soon after.

An early breakfast was had by all and it was off to the ground to prepare for the game. A make shift Crewe side were certainly enjoying the build up and the hospitality that had been shown. A good crowd gathered to watch the match but Crewe could not manage to bring the Peace Cup home and the holy grail was again slipping through the fingers of the Glenavy men.

However, it did not detract from the occasion and there was a great spirit shown between the two clubs. After the game Conor McCarty decided that he wasn’t leaving just yet and decided to change his flight so he could have a quiet night in Warrington!

Next it was off to the huge Rugby League game between Warrington Wolves and St. Helens. What an atmosphere!! The boys were in good spirits and the Lisburn Mayor was live on Sky TV before the game. St. Helens ran out winners in what was an enthralling encounter. Young Paul Lavery also got an unexpected bonus as he left the ground, enjoying the generosity of the Warrington people. Conor McCarty also managed to catch the ball during the game after it was kicked into the crowd, it was like he had won the lottery!

As we left the ground Victor Beattie decided to have a run in with a car but that was not going to stop him pulling the glad rags, or was that golf rags, on and head into town for a few casual beers. The same cannot be said for party animal Chris Haggerty who was in no mood to be quiet. The men of Warrington did not know what hit them when Chris ‘the body’ Haggerty interrupted a dance off and started doing ‘the fish’. Legends are certainly made of this and the Warrington lads knew when they were beat!!

After retiring to bed for and hour or two, it was up for the flight home!! A few sore heads and dry mouths were experienced but it had been a fantastic weekend for all involved.

Crewe would like to thanks Warrington Town FC for their hospitality and the great effort put into a superb weekend. Thanks also to Lisburn City Council for travelling to Warrington with Crewe, it was a great advert for Lisburn and our club that you could be there. We look forward to next year when we will gain be hosting Warrington at Crewe Park, hopefully the Peace Cup will come home!!

To all players and officials who have not already signed up why not get involved? Its £5 entry fee and the winner will be rewarded with a cash prize (TBA). Money must be collected as soon as possible and any further information needed please see Chris Haggerty or Michael Kelly.

Follow the link, create an account followed by a team and join our League with this code 157268-114072 (cut and paste). It couldn’t be simpler!

All was quiet recently in Glenavy until the alarm system at Crewe picked up an intruder in the building at 2am!! No sooner had the alarm gone off than Batman and Robin AKA Davy Stewart and Mark McGuinness were hot-footing it down the Glenavy Road at break neck speeds to see what crime they could solve!!

Imagine their disappointment then when they arrived at Crewe with nothing stirring except the cows in the back field! However as the intrepit crime fighters were about to leave they were attacked unexpectedly from behind! Luckily it was one of their own sort, a young bat had ‘winged’ its way in and set off the alarm!! Batman and Robin were careful not to harm the young fledgling and ushered him out to the wild once more, another mystery solved!!

Davy has just returned to the club after recent spell of illness and its great to have him back amongst us. He has brought with him Mark McGuinness who has already proved his weight in gold with the work he has done to help us. We appreciate their efforts in helping out around the club.