Dixon named as top boss
Celtic Crusaders’ coach John Dixon has rightly been awarded the title of National League One Coach of the Year by national magazine Rugby League World.
Dixon, who was controversially ignored by judges in the official awards ceremony, led the Crusaders to second place in the final NL1 table and to within 30 seconds of a Grand Final win, just a season after leading them to promotion as champions from NL2 – the best result ever by a promoted club in the history of rugby league.
In their October edition which is available now, Rugby League World magazine explained their decision.
They wrote, “It’s hard to argue with Shaun McRae’s record at Salford this season – three competitions, three trophies. But no club has ever been promoted from NL2 and made an impact like Celtic Crusaders under John Dixon. He created a side that played attractive, open rugby whatever the conditions, and in the end they fell just seconds short of lifting the NL1 title.”