This marked Caddell’s second season at the helm.
“Who would be a football manager, eh?”
Declan Caddell has navigated a challenging season as Crusaders manager, culminating in a penalty shootout victory over Annagh United to secure the north Belfast side’s Premiership status for the upcoming season.
Crusaders entered the match with a one-goal advantage from the first leg, but Philip Donnelly’s early penalty leveled the aggregate score within the first five minutes, followed by Lee Upton putting Annagh ahead.
In the 71st minute, Stewart Nixon equalized for Crusaders in the play-off, forcing the game into extra time, which remained goalless.
During the penalty shootout, Musa Dibaga emerged as the hero, saving two penalties to ensure Crusaders’ survival and avert what would have been only their second relegation in club history.
“Credit to Annagh, they put it up to us,” Caddell acknowledged to BBC Sport NI.
“For me, that game summarised our whole season in terms of a wee bit of bad luck, not playing for a full 90 minutes, injuries, everything relying on a last gasp, last minute, and credit to Dibaga as well for stepping in and making a difference.
“I’m just relieved to get over the line because it’s been a difficult year. Who would be a football manager, eh?”
Crusaders’ supporters are accustomed to top-six finishes and European campaigns; however, this season forced them to endure a tense relegation battle.
The team secured a chance at survival following an encouraging post-split run, claiming 11th place and a spot in the relegation/promotion play-off, after Glenavon threatened a late escape that could have resulted in Crusaders’ automatic relegation.
Entering the play-off unbeaten in four games, the side carried evident confidence into the challenging double-header against a formidable Annagh side.
“This season’s been a rollercoaster. Parts we have done well. Large parts we haven’t done well,” he continued.
“We’re a young team, a really young team. What they’ve done this season won’t go unnoticed.
“The players won’t realise it, but to put yourself in that situation, in terms of struggling at the bottom, eventually dropping the bottom, having to claw your way back up, having to go to a play-off of high pressure. That is going to be so beneficial for all of them. Everybody thought we were going”