Mine, and probably Halifax's thoughts exactly.

Does Mirfield know something the rest of us don't?

Billy - Chris Irvine is tweeting that "Halifax's application too many holes by all accounts"

As much as I think the RFL would have moved hell and high water to keep Crusaders in, had they been more financially stable, irrespective of their application, I doubt they would hold Halifax back for Wakefield if their application was better... sorry!

I also think that the Halifax Chairman is picking the wrong target in his current whinge. He should be going after Quins because, by all accounts, their application was well below Wakefield's!

By what accounts, out of interest? What have you seen that we haven't?

Accounts from people employed in the game. Again, opinion, speculation, you decide but certainly people who have told me things in the past that have turned out to be correct.

hmmmm I'm not convinced IA.

There's just been an interview on Look North with a guy from the RFL, who repeatedly refused to give an answer to Harry Grayson's question as to why Halifax's bid was considered inferior to Wakeys. Obviously, as a decision had been reached, surely the reasoning behind it should be made public.

In one sentence he said he'd been in touch with someone at Halifax, then in the next, said he couldn't discuss it with the media until the Club (Halifax) had been informed. Given that the decision must have been ammended yesterday after Crusaders surprise withdrawl, in time for the 11 am media announcement today, It kinda beggars belief that the RFL would not have contacted all of the clubs involved ASAP immeadiatly after the public announcement.

I suspect a cock up more than a conspiracy, but this one is going to run for a long while yet.

Ralph Rimmer is telling the press that Halifax's application was weaker than Wakefield's, which I fully believe to be true.

Also, why do you think Crusaders withdrawing was a surprise to the RFL? I think everything points to the fact it was far from a surprise to them (if not everyone else) because clearly KMPG were struggling to provide the RFL with evidence of a company that had a sustainable future. The RFL clearly asked them to withdraw when it became apparent that things had continued to go from bad to worse. They knew the score last week, and that was the Crusaders were out and Wakefield stayed in and the withdrawal was because that is what the RFL 'asked' them to do.

1. Clinton Schifcofske
2. Gareth Thomas
3. Tony Martin
4. Vince Mellars
5. Stuart Reardon
6. Michael Witt
7. Jarrod Sammut
8. Andy Bracek
8. Ryan O'Hara
9. Lincoln Withers
10. Mark Bryant
12. Jason Chan
13. Frank Winterstein
14. Adam Peek
15. Jordan James
16. Ben Flower
17. Rhys Hanbury
18. Elliott Kear
19. Lloyd White
20. Gil Dudson
21. Paul Johnson
22. Richard Moore
23. Peter Lupton
24. Lee Williams
25. Jamie Murphy
27. Jordan Tansey

Signings for 2012:

Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Shannan McPherson (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Gary Warburton (Canterbury Bulldogs)

All contracts have become void as far as i hear, and any of these players can sign for new clubs for 2012.

The only ones I see have real potential from this is Michael Witt, Jarrod Sammut, Rhys Hanbury and Elliott Kear.

I see that Tony Martin is now officially a free agent

Personally I'd go for 11 or 26 myself.

With boiled or egg fried rice?

11 is actually Hep Cahill but signed for Widnes so took him out

Barking up the wrong tree there - I'd go for no. 2. More of a chance mate

Yep, that's the guy who has just given a very evasive and uncomfortable interview with Harry. I've no idea whether he's speaking the truth or not, but certainly on the basis of that particular interview about an hour ago, I'd be delighted to hear why he/they arrived at that conclusion.



What is a suprise to me, is that the RFL have fell for the Wakey 3 card trick yet again. You would have thought that all the broken promises from Salford, Wakey and Cas last time, re stadium development, would maybe have been taken into consideration. Add in Wakey's colourful financial failings, and you have to wonder just how bad Halfax got it wrong. Apparently.

If, as you say the RFL knew last week that Crusaders financial position was dodgy, how come they left until the day before the announcement to "ask them to withdraw"?

There is a whiff of the harbour about this one my friend.

Rumour has it is that Halifax did have an open goal and hit the corner flag... so it would seem they got it wrong. Also, more strong rumours coming out that Wakefield's application was better and stronger than at least two other clubs, who also retained their SL status. I leave you to guess which two other grade C clubs it was... and it was not Cas, although one of them will soon have shiny new stadium to play in, so I get that bit, because they did get there in the end!





Come on Billy, I and and others have been saying for months that I just could not see how Crusaders would be a financially sustainable operation, short or long term. Give the RFL some credit, even they are not that stupid. It has all been about saving face and getting back the £700k that the RFL are owed by Moss and Roberts and that is why they have kept things running to till the last minute, just in case something did emerge to keep things alive. It is slightly Ostrich in approach but I can understand it, if not condone it. Plus, the date was fixed ages ago, they were never going to just decided a few weeks ago to bring the date forward... that looks even more dodgy.

Wakey have a crap ground and had a previous owner that just lost his way... but did keep them in the league before franchising and they have never finished bottom! However, on lots of other aspects, they do more than ok!

Hasn't Jarrod Sammut signed for the Bulls?

I hope Elliot Kear finds another SL club - he looks a decent talent (maybe Uncle John* will sign him for Wakey). Maybe some of the other young Welshmen too it'd be a good thing to have come out of Crusaders.

I also hope Gareth Thomas finds a club...he's great for SL from a PR point of view.


*I'm have no reason to suspect their actually related

Not sure if he signed but I'm sure I read somewhere he was expected to (even before this shambles)

Gareth Thomas to Cas?

Does no one rate Vince Mellars?

I'd expect a good number of the squad to go to Wakefield, Salford or Widnes. Can certainly see Keef at Trins next year

Quote ="rhinoms"he mentions SL history but fax were docked points for SC issues i don't think Wakey ever were.'" Wakefield were docked 4 points in 2001 for spending 74% on salaries the previous season (at the time clubs were only allowed to spend 50% of turnover) which was reduced to a 2 point deduction when the RFL decided to trade in the trusty abacus for a calculator and discovered Wakefield had spent 58% rather than 74% : www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2001/au ... eldtrinity Still an apparent clear breach of the salary cap rules as was Halifax's relating to the 2002 season : news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 946556.stm __________ Re Crusader players: Ryan O'Hara would strengthen the prop division. Apart from that I don't think there is much of interest. Jason Chan perhaps but second row is well covered at Headingley.

Quote ="rhinoms"he mentions SL history but fax were docked points for SC issues i don't think Wakey ever were.'" Wakefield were docked 4 points in 2001 for spending 74% on salaries the previous season (at the time clubs were only allowed to spend 50% of turnover) which was reduced to a 2 point deduction when the RFL decided to trade in the trusty abacus for a calculator and discovered Wakefield had spent 58% rather than 74% : www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2001/au ... eldtrinity Still an apparent clear breach of the salary cap rules as was Halifax's relating to the 2002 season : news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 946556.stm __________ Re Crusader players: Ryan O'Hara would strengthen the prop division. Apart from that I don't think there is much of interest. Jason Chan perhaps but second row is well covered at Headingley.

He has enjoyed his most recent visit but he's a bit old for us thank you.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14317182.stm news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14329582.stm news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 382454.stm more questions for the RFL if the owners had put the stadium up forsale in January or is there some shenanigans going on in Wales

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14317182.stm news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14329582.stm news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 382454.stm more questions for the RFL if the owners had put the stadium up forsale in January or is there some shenanigans going on in Wales

www.footballconference.co.uk/new ... ws_id=5174 looks like no sport in wrexham soon

www.footballconference.co.uk/new ... ws_id=5174 looks like no sport in wrexham soon