Stephen Baxter proclaimed Declan Caddell "bleeds red and black" as the midfielder stepped out of retirement to help Crusaders in their hour of need.
Caddell hung his boots up at the end of last season after helping the Crues win the Irish Cup to take up the role of Academy Director at Seaview.
It was suggested at the time that the 34-year-old would be registered as a player in case of an emergency.
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Although probably neither Baxter nor Caddell would have expected a call up so soon.
However, an ever-growing injury list on the Shore Road saw Caddell drafted into the squad for Saturday's trip to Linfield.
But such is the Crues luck with injuries at present the midfielder was thrust into action at Windsor with only half an hour played as Robbie Weir was the latest player to pick up an injury.
It was like Caddell hadn't been away though as he found himself in referee Ian McNabb's notebook just seven minutes after entering the fray.
Baxter though wouldn't have it any other way as he hailed his dedication to the cause on his return, with more appearances set to be looming after Daniel Larmour also limped out of the action against the Blues.
"We had Declan registered to make sure that if we ran into a situation like this we would have enough bodies," Baxter explained to Crusaders' Youtube channel.
"He's a fit young man who is doing coaching everyday, so there was no problem with his fitness levels, it was just that time away from the game, match fitness really.
"He hasn't done anything yet he comes in and was excellent.
"It was well set up for him as he was chasing the ball rather than passing it.
"He was immense and is a wonderful person.
"When you talk about the DNA of the club he is what it's all about...he bleeds red and black.
"He was there for us today when we needed him because the bodies were so light.
"I didn't expect him to have to go on so early but it was no problem to him."
Baxter was forced to put a number of square pegs in round holes given the Crusaders casualty list, but he was thrilled to come away with a point given the circumstances.
"Linfield are on an incredible run and we knew we were coming here incredibly stretched," he said.
"We had no centre halves so we had to play Robbie (Weir) in there.
"Then you don't expect to lose both centre halves within a short space of time during the game in the first half.
"We also lost Jude Winchester during the warm up.
"So we had to rejig the whole team again and you're having to play so many players out of position.
"Gary Thompson went in at right back, Paul Heatley goes to centre midfield and goal-scoring extraordinaire Philip Lowry is now playing centre half!
"Every player, to their credit, was immense. they did their job, stuck to their task and did everything we asked of them.
"You have to be extremely proud of them, they were amazing.
"It's pleasing that we go home with something in our pocket as you don't always come up here and come away with anything."
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