Bye, Bye John

By Chris O'Brien,
September 12 2009

John Dixon will part company with the Celtic Crusaders after Sunday's trip to Castleford. The Australian's future has been the subject of intense speculation, and it has now been confirmed that Dixon will not be offered a new contract for next season. Despite masterminding the Saders' rapid rise from National League Two to Super League, Dixon has seemingly struggled to adapt to the high-pressure invite of RL's top-flight.

To date, the Saders have only three wins to their name and have also struggled off-the-field, particularly in the wake of the six deportations.

Club officials have thus decided to make another big change to the club's infrastructure. Next season will see Cru in a new ground, with a new badge and a vastly changed playing staff. There will now also be a new manager at the helm.

Dixon is clearly saddened but typically subservient after learning his fate, saying: "I am disappointed to be leaving but I respect the chairman's right to bring change,

"I would like to thank all the players, staff, and the very loyal band of supporters who I feel have all played integral roles in the successes that the club has achieved over the last four years."

Dixon has been in charge of the club since the very beginning, leading the Saders to victory in their opening game with a 50-10 thumping at the Hemel Hempstead Stags. Ahead of Sunday's game, he has been in charge for 123 matches including friendlies, winning 70, drawing 1 and losing 52.

Rumours continue to link Wigan Warriors coach Brian Noble with the vacancy. However, it is unlikely any such announcement would be made until the Lancashire club's play-off campaign is over.

It has yet to be confirmed whether Dixon will continue as manager of the national side ahead of this autumn's internationals. However, he is expected to return to Australia in a bid to find a new full-time coaching role.

Good luck to JD in the future. A thoroughly nice bloke who has been somewhat unlucky this season. Let's hope he can see us off with an unlikely win on Sunday.

Saders to part company with boss Dixon

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 12/09/2009 12:44

CruXIII
12/09/2009 12:44

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40:20
13/09/2009 07:37

Good luck John.

Thanks for all your hard work over the years.

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stevec
13/09/2009 11:19

Not convinced that this was really needed and IMHO JD made the best of a cheap squad that our parsimony forced upon him. However the "powers that be" seem to want to make a complete break with the past - 2010 will be year zero it seems.

Thank you John and good luck in the future.

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Terrace-Culture
14/09/2009 00:17

It certainly seems like this is going to be a totally fresh start in 2010.
I suppose after some of the things that have happened this season, you can’t blame them. The club’s name has been dragged through the dirt a bit.

This does seem rash though. JD has been nothing but loyal to the club throughout the season and has put up with a lot.
I just hope it is Brian Noble coming in. What happens if Wigan win the play-offs? Will he still leave? Word is they’re after the NZ coach, and Noble has said this week he “isn’t an idiot” when questioned about his future.
I’ll put my neck on the line and say I’d love to have Noble here. Only if we get him, will I think the club has done the right thing with Dixon.
I’d love to have kept JD here in a development role, but I doubt the budget would allow and perhaps JD wants to be head coach elsewhere instead. He has been very gracious throughout the campaign and I wish him luck and hopefully he’ll pay Rodney Parade a visit next season.
I wonder if he’s still in charge of Wales?

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stevec
16/09/2009 13:15

He's picked up a post in Queensland already - good luck to the guy - but it suggests that he has known for certain for some time what was happening.

Anyone fancy a drive down to see his first game in charge at the new side LOL

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40:20
18/09/2009 11:40

If we set off now we'll be there by March !!!

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