| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1965-10-01)1 October 1965 (age 60) | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Carrick Rangers (manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Glentoran | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1985–1987 | Ards | 43 | (21) |
| 1987–1993 | Linfield | 114 | (51) |
| 1993–1994 | Distillery | 25 | (6) |
| 1994–1998 | Crusaders | 108 | (40) |
| 1998–2000 | Glenavon | 48 | (19) |
| 2000–2002 | Crusaders | 58 | (23) |
| 2002 | Bangor | 0 | (0) |
| 2005 | Crusaders | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 396 | (160) | |
| International career | |||
| 1981 | Northern Ireland U16 | 3 | (0) |
| 1987 | Irish League XI | 2 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2005–2024 | Crusaders | ||
| 2024– | Carrick Rangers | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Stephen John BaxterBEM (born 1 October 1965) is a Northern Irish football manager and retired footballer. He is manager ofNIFL Premiership teamCarrick Rangers. Baxter is known for his time at Crusaders, where he had two spells as a player, and served as manager for 19 years between 2005 and 2024.[1]
In2019, Baxter was awarded aBritish Empire Medal for services to football in Northern Ireland.[2]
'Stanley' (as he would later be nicknamed after theScottish comedian) started out as a player withGlentoran before signing forArds in 1985. His goalscoring exploits caught the notice ofLinfield and he signed for them in 1987, winning twoIrish League championships, threeGold Cups and aLeague Cup. He scored 102 goals in 219 games for the Blues, of which 169 were starts.[3]
Unable to hold down a regular starting place, however, he signed for Crusaders in 1994. Baxter became one of the key players of Crusaders' golden team of the 90's, again winning two Irish League championships, a Gold Cup and League Cup. In 1995/96, he was named in the Football Writers' Premier League Team of the Year, and in 1996/97 he was named as theUlster Footballer of the Year. He then moved to Glenavon for a successful period before returning toSeaview for a second two-year spell in 2000.[4]
Baxter was memorable for his hat-trick in a relegation play-off againstLisburn Distillery, ensuring the Crues' survival. Baxter left Seaview a firm fan-favourite and legend status for a short spell atBangor, where he coached briefly and played two cup games, before retiring from football completely and opening a sports shop inNewtownards. He played a total of 650 games in his career, and scored 303 goals.[5] He later came out of retirement briefly in aCounty Antrim Shield match againstDundela in 2005.[6]
Following the sacking ofAlan Dornan, Baxter was installed as manager at Seaview, yet was unable to keep the Hatchetmen in the top division. After winning virtually every intermediate trophy in sight the following season, under Baxter's leadership the Crues returned to the Irish League and lead the table briefly, before finishing in 6th position in 2006–07.
After, he led the club to their first top 3 finish for a decade in 2008–09, and also the team's firstIrish Cup victory in 41 years. He led the club toCounty Antrim Shield success the following season. Baxter is the club's most successful manager of all time.
In 2011–12, Baxter led the Crues to triumph in theIrish League Cup, winning the competition for the first time since 1996. That same season, he delivered success at the2012 Setanta Sports Cup.[7][8]
On 8 October 2024, it was announced Baxter would take over as first team manager ofCarrick Rangers on a 3 year deal.
| Team | Nation | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | F | A | Gd | Win % | ||||
| Crusaders |  Northern Ireland | 20 February 2005[9] | 17 July 2024[10] | 968 | 549 | 157 | 262 | 1,849 | 1,193 | +656 | 56.71 |
| Carrick Rangers | Northern Ireland | 28 October 2024 | present | 44 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 59 | 67 | -8 | 31.82 |
| Total | 1,012 | 563 | 169 | 280 | 1,908 | 1,260 | +648 | 55.63 | |||
Linfield
Lisburn Distillery
Crusaders
Glenavon
Individual
Crusaders