Interview by Glenn Kelly
McCauley Snelgrove walks into the gym at Seaview for our interview with a relaxed, unassuming confidence about him. But the truth is that this likeable Hull man was carrying more than the weight of his boot bag on his shoulders when he made the move across the Irish Sea.
Born in Hull 20 years ago, the Crusaders winger was a self-confessed Hull City fanatic. “I was a ticket holder at Hull from no age, it was my home team and I went to every match with my dad. They were my heroes.” Snelgrove says. It wasnt long before a young Snelgrove started making his dreams a reality. He joined the Hull Academy at seven years old and continued progressing through the club, impressing all before him, “I played in each of the under-age sides and did quite well, until I made professional scholarship at 16, it was then I realised I could actually make it as a professional footballer” he says. Two years later he was signing his first professional contract at the club.
Snelgrove was plying his trade in the U23 side when Stephen Baxter, the Crusaders boss made an approach in the summer of 2022. A year-long long deal was struck between the clubs and the man from the east of England was heading westwards.
Snelgrove says of the move “I knew who Crusaders were and fancied the challenge to test myself in the senior game. I spoke with Billy (Chadwick) and Ahmed (Salam) at Hull who had spent the previous season on loan at Linfield, they told be to go for it and told me it would be a great learning experience, Crusaders were great at making me feel welcome. Arranging an apartment close to the ground and making sure I had everything I needed. Of course I miss some home comforts like my mums cooking and my sisters as we are a close family but I enjoy eating with the guys after training and the camaraderie”
One imagines the hospitality shown by the club has only benefited the player further. His statistics so far read, four appearances, one goal and two assists. He has started the last two games earning a man-of-the-match perfomance against Portadown. Not bad for a winger at the start of his senior career. He believes his performances have been driven by competition within the squad. Snelgrove states “Having the likes of Ross Clark and Paul Heatley and myself fighting for those wide berths, it really pushes us and gives the boss some difficult but good problems when picking his team”
I ask if seeing the likes of Stuart Dallas and Gavin Whyte leaving Crusaders to gain success across the water motivates him further, Snelgrove replies “of course, I actually played with Gavin in an U23 game. Having played here now, I can see the technical ability of the players and I have no doubt a number of the local guys could make it in England”.
Stephen Baxter is now recognised as the longest serving manager in top level football, he sees the potential in Snelgrove “he’s an excellent professional, motivated, highly skilled and ready to fight for his place”. Snelgrove notes that having Baxter at the helm has already reaped benefits for his game, siting that the manager knows when to offer praise, constructive criticism and when to put an arm around the shoulder. He will no doubt learn further from the man in charge during his time in North Belfast.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Snelgrove is a determined young man wanting to maximise the number of goals and assists he can achieve. With this steely determination few would bet against him meeting those goals.
For now though, his goals are to become a regular in the team, settle into his new city, he’s already looking forward to christmas visits from loved ones, and continuing to master the many dialects of his new teammates (Lewis Barr is setting the early standard of testing Snelgroves understanding of the local lingo).
The man from the Humber region has undoubtedly ambitions for Premier League football, but for now it is Crusaders and Snelgrove who are set to gain from his time in Northern Ireland. He carries the expectation of his friends, family and club on his shoulders, not to mention his own high standards. However, he carries these responsibilities well and as he leaves the gym after our interview, his calming presence may lead you to believe maybe he does only carry the weight of his boots on his shoulders.
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