It was with great sadness Crusaders Football Club has learnt of the sad passing of life member and life long Crusaders supporter Jim McAllister. "Rooster" as he was known by nearly everyone in the Crusaders family and indeed by many at other grounds was a man who certainly was Red and Black through and through and never missed a game home or away until illness sadly changed that. He was a familiar face to all and many could probably recount a story about Rooster in their time watching Crusaders should it have been the banter handed out as you walked by or of Jim giving the officials his thoughts on a decision.
Jim was a founding member of the 1st Newtownabbey Crusaders Supporters Club who sit in Whitehouse Working Mens Club and was the Chairman also up to his death.
Crusaders Chairman Ronnie Millar said of sad news “On behalf of myself, the Crusaders Board, management, players and supporters can I pass on the deepest sympathies and condolences from each and everyone of us to Jim's family on his passing. The words “true and loyal supporter” where made for Jim and he will be missed by his immediate family and the larger family circle. Jim will also be greatly missed by the officers and members of the 1st Newtownabbey Crusaders Supporters Club. The Supporters Club meant everything to Jim and he to them but his legacy will go on I am sure within the members"
Ronnie added “Jim was a supporter of long standing at Crusaders and we will also miss him at our games in the future. Can I ask that we keep the McAllister family in our thoughts and prayers along with those in his supporters club also over the next days and weeks as they all come to terms with Jims passing”
RIP Rooster