It was with great sadness that Crusaders Football Club learnt of the sad passing of life long supporter John Rice over the weekend. John was a stalwart at the Club and also sat on the Crusaders committee many years ago. A member of the North Belfast Crusaders Supporters Club for nearly 50 years he never missed a game home and away travelling to Europe quite regularly also to watch his beloved team and would be seen letting players and officials know when they went wrong from his place in the ground.
Chairman Ronnie Millar on hearing of Johns passing said “ We are all shocked to hear that John Rice has passed away and without doubt he will be missed around Seaview. John has been part of this club for to many years to mention and his contribution to where we have got to today will be remembered fondly. It may have been a many years since he was on the committee but he helped lay the foundations of success in the past and we are truly thankful. John and his friends would have stood in the old social club at the end of the bar and you where assured of banter from him as you walked by."
Ronnie adds “First and foremost to Johns family and wider family circle can I pass on my deepest sympathies and condolences on the passing of a great man. To everyone in the North Belfast Crusaders Supporters Club of which he was a member for nearly half a century can I also offer the same and finally to his friends both in and out of Seaview we also offer condolences. I ask we keep the Rice family in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days, weeks and months. Another life long and dedicated Crusaders supporter has passed and will be missed dearly”
At Rest.