Erol’s game: title champs inspired by injured team-mate.

Published: 23 January, 2014

IT’S only January and already the unstoppable Coalition Crusaders have been crowned champions in Division Two of the Camden Sunday League.

The free-scoring side moved out of the reach of their rivals at the weekend when they smashed six past AFC Brasenose at Hackney Marshes.

Top scorer Mustafa Baskal and Ashley Coleman both scored two goals each, while Koray Kazim and Nick Riley were also on target in the 6-0 victory.

The title triumph continues an explosive start to life in the Camden Sunday League.

In their debut season last term the Crusaders captured the third division title, the Junior Cup and were presented with the Fair Play Trophy.

Manager Turk Mustafa, who also guided his team to the final of the Challenge Cup last season, said: “After losing five good players in the summer it was expected that the free-flowing style that we are famed for would suffer. But the new players settled in quicker than expected and helped drive the club on to even more success.

“The season kicked off with a 0-0 draw against FC Bertoli, but from there on in it’s been win after win, and our rivals simply haven’t been able to keep up with us.”

The Crusaders haven’t had it all their own way, however, and they have had to overcome some major upsets.

In October defender Erol Mustafa suffered three horrific injuries in one when he damaged the bone and cartilage in his right knee and snapped his cruciate.
It ended his season, and there are fears that the 24-year-old might not be able to play football again.

“It affected the squad massively,” Turk said. “The players  promised themselves that they would win the title for Erol. It was the focal point before each and every game, and gave us that added incentive to achieve success.

“All the players have put in a great effort to help the club secure back-to-back titles. I want to say a special thanks to Nick Carroll, who stepped in to cover Erol’s position -– he had big boots to fill and has done a tremendous job.”