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Urban Saints is built on a strong foundation of faithful leaders and supporters who grew up in Crusaders and remained actively involved in the movement. We have always paid tribute to those that have gone to be with Christ in our Associate News publication and this will continue in the new Link US magazine launching later this month.
ALAN COOKSON 1936-2023
As a young man Alan deliberately surrendered his life to one of dedicated celibate Christian service, a mission from which he never wavered. Encouraged to become a youth leader by David Pawson, he formed a boys group in his home town of Ramsbottom, a few miles north of Manchester, which he initially called Firecrests but when he discovered Crusaders he quickly changed the name to what became known universally as Rammy Crusaders. It proved extremely popular and he wasted no time in secretly inviting Cliff Richard along – quite a surprise for the boys who turned up that weekend!
There was considerable early success on the sporting front and he thought nothing of taking his football team on tour to Surrey. Camping took place at the Manchester Area site at Nefyn in North Wales, into which he poured his heart and soul. Alan also took out a long lease on a cottage in Snowdonia which he regularly hired out to Crusaders and other Christian groups and families. A real prayer warrior, he regularly helped at Nefyn and drove over annually to carry out a private prayer circuit of the field, even well into old age.
Not content with creating Ramsbottom Crusaders, in collaboration with Roger Knott from Bolton Crusaders, he also established a new group in nearby Bury which again flourished under his leadership and guidance. Boys from both Ramsbottom and Bury were regular visitors to Nefyn Camps and to his cottage at Drws-y-Coed in Snowdonia.
In his later years Alan suffered from ill health and went almost blind but remained enthusiastic about his Christian faith right up to the end. A faithful and devoted Crusader leader, he inspired countless numbers of young people in their faith, several of whom came back together for his final thanksgiving.
Peter Worsley