Crusaders Football Club can announce that goalkeeping great Jonny Tuffey (39) has decided to "hang up his gloves" on a long and distinguished career that took him on a journey to England, Scotand and Northern Ireland in domestic football and also earned him eight caps on international football duty for the senior team.
Jonny has been simply brilliant for Crusaders and made 223 appearances for the club after signing in January 2021. Jonny was the rock that Crusaders needed time and time again in defence as he controlled the back four with his experience and vital saves on many occasions keeping Crusaders in games.
He was instrumental in our Irish Cup wins in 2022 and 2023 and who will ever forget his assist in the final moments of ordinary time in the 2023 final with a header to set up the equaliser and we know the rest. Jonny also won a charity shield with Crusaders in 2022.
Jonny had a wonderful career before joining Crusaders and played for Linfield and Glenavon for a combined seven years after returning from Scotland after seven years there.
A lot will be written and spoken about Jonny after hearing this news but on behalf of Crusaders FC thank you for everything you have done in your playing career at our club. You will go down as one of the greats who have played for us and your memory will live on.
Jonny will not be taking our colours off anytime soon as he remains the Crusaders Strikers manager and Head of Academy nurturing our future stars through.
In the meantime enjoy retirement from playing and we will see you at Seaview soon.