Franchise Decision Day

[ParraEelsNRL]

Hang on, the Cru owe 700k to the RFL for the Ground, if it isn't paid, the RFL get part ownership of it don't they?

I hope this isn't some dirty trick, RL don't need to do this type of thing, they'll lose my respect if it's the case.

 

[Didgi]

But the RFL have me staggered, why didn't they buy out the club and fund it themselves?

What a waste of 3 years.

Whilst I agree it was somewhat of a waste, looking at the international game I think that money could be better spent in other places than funding a Welsh SL team while talented Welsh youngsters would still be able to make it elsewhere.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

So why did the owners withdraw their application?

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Wow. I didn't see this coming at all, though I haven't been following proceedings too closely. I had assumed that Wakefield were as dead as Elvis and Widnes would come in. Case closed.

Crusaders have been a total basket case since entering Super League. But I fear what this will do to the game in Wales. Real shame that a great opportunity has been totally ballsed up.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Whilst I agree it was somewhat of a waste, looking at the international game I think that money could be better spent in other places than funding a Welsh SL team while talented Welsh youngsters would still be able to make it elsewhere.

I agree, but a SL team costs nothing compared to an NRL team mate.

 

[WireMan]

Hang on, the Cru owe 700k to the RFL for the Ground, if it isn't paid, the RFL get part ownership of it don't they?

I hope this isn't some dirty trick, RL don't need to do this type of thing, they'll lose my respect if it's the case.

My understanding was the loan was secured on the ground. So if/when the ground is sold then the RFL can be paid back.

I may be wrong though.


As for rugby in Wales, Warrington have a few players coming through, Widnes i'm sure are about to get some. There were not many Welsh players in the crusaders team any way. The path is still there for young players to come through, especially if there are three teams in the championship to play for.

They pulled out because they couldn't afford to continue. The lower salary cap in the championship makes it easier to survive.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

My understanding was the loan was secured on the ground. So if/when the ground is sold then the RFL can be paid back.

I may be wrong though.


As for rugby in Wales, Warrington have a few players coming through, Widnes i'm sure are about to get some. There were not many Welsh players in the crusaders team any way. The path is still there for young players to come through, especially if there are three teams in the championship to play for.

They pulled out because they couldn't afford to continue. The lower salary cap in the championship makes it easier to survive.

3? Crusaders, Scorpions and?

 

[Highway1]

Stunning, absolutely stunning, that the Crusaders will not be playing super league for the next three years. Never expected it. Bad for rugby league in Wales.

 

[jim_57]

Best case scenario now would be to hope they can regather themselves in the Championship and a proposed 3rd Welsh semi-pro side can enter Championship1. Also that their best Welsh players be snapped up by other SL clubs, to lose young players like Lloyd White, Elliot Kear and Gil Dudson on the eve of the 4N and WC would do massive harm to the game in Wales.

 

[bartman]

Crusaders gone.

They have pulled out.

In negotiations to compete in championship.

Didn't see that coming.

Wow, me neither. I thought Crusaders would be supported through this next franchise phase.

Other than that, not surprised they didn't punt an existing club for Halifax this time.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

3? Crusaders, Scorpions and?

Yeah mate, there's been a 3rd team mentioned for 18 moths, not sure of the name but it has 3 cities/counties involved. or 3 clubs.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Yeah mate, there's been a 3rd team mentioned for 18 moths, not sure of the name but it has 3 cities/counties involved. or 3 clubs.

Yeah, I just had a quick look on rlfans and there was some mention of the Valley Cougars. Whether or not they will be involved I have no idea, but a 3rd semi-pro club would obviously be a very good thing for the game at the grassroots in Wales.

I can't see Crusaders surviving and I think they'll be wound up. Apparently Wrexham FC are in all sorts and the Racecourse is going too. None of this sounds like new information, but it is to me. Ideally Crusaders would stick around and possibly re-apply in a few years as a more stable club. But I doubt it. If they do survive and continue on in the Championship it wouldn't be all bad news.

 

[hutch]

it is terrible news. the few thousand fans they had built over the last few years are not going to hang around to watch a team play in the lower divisions. even more so a team that has continually let them down like the crusaders. this has a huge knock on effect that will hurt the game in wales over the next 5-10 years and we will be back to where we were before the crusaders. people wont watch rugby league, their kids wont play rugby league, union players wont see rugby league as a genuine career option and there will be massive doubts about ever starting a new franchise in wales. its f*cked!

 

[RedVee]

I'm totally shocked.

 

[shaggs]

The owners are crooks. Bunch of lying thieves. I feel sorry for the poor players that are owed money. It's disgusting that employees just have to suck it up when they dont get paid.
That club was a basket case from day one. The player from 2008 are still owed.

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

Yeah some are still owed some money. IMO, the hearlands should have regional teams, and as with the Storm, investment has to be long term.

 

[langpark]

It is an uphill battle, but if they can maintain an average 2-2500 crowd next year and beyond then they may survive long-term. Next years is the crucial season.


To me they never should have been there in the first place. It's like going off and planting a team over in Brussels right now (a place where the game has never been played and has no foundations). I could name 5 'real', established clubs over in France who would have made more of a success in SL. Anyway, time to pick up the pieces now and try to move on...

 

[Teddyboy]

They were rushed into SL.

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

It is an uphill battle, but if they can maintain an average 2-2500 crowd next year and beyond then they may survive long-term. Next years is the crucial season.


To me they never should have been there in the first place. It's like going off and planting a team over in Brussels right now (a place where the game has never been played and has no foundations). I could name 5 'real', established clubs over in France who would have made more of a success in SL. Anyway, time to pick up the pieces now and try to move on...

That's just way off the mark, have you read the history of R.League in Wales? Have you seen the long list of top-grade Footballers Wales has produced over the last 100 years? And Wales is part of the UK.

 

[Evil Homer]

It is an uphill battle, but if they can maintain an average 2-2500 crowd next year and beyond then they may survive long-term. Next years is the crucial season.


To me they never should have been there in the first place. It's like going off and planting a team over in Brussels right now (a place where the game has never been played and has no foundations). I could name 5 'real', established clubs over in France who would have made more of a success in SL. Anyway, time to pick up the pieces now and try to move on...

Crusaders were the strongest Championship club at the time of promotion, along with Salford. The reason they have been so volatile in Super League is because their owner and founder was a crook and was nowhere near as wealthy as he had made out. Unfortunately the new owners seem to be just as bad.

It's probably for the best that Crusaders are removed, they would have just continued to lurch from crisis to crisis had they tried to carry on and their chief executive admitted as much earlier on. IMO the best thing would be if the club could survive and build stability in the Championship, attract new owners and re-apply in a few years. The fans have been great and hopefully this won't dent their appetite for the game too much, although it is a blow to them for sure.