But it's about 160 miles from Warrington which is probably about the nearest other club to it.

Think its about 30 miles from Warrington to Wrexham

Pfff - Belle Vue is and has always been 'pending redevelopment' but you don't see Wakey closing parts of it...

But then why were they based in the South in the first place then?

The RFL just assumed that because South Walians love their Rugby Union they would all suddenly love league as well. And they didn't. So now they are trying it out on the people of North Wales assuming that because football is the most popular sport in north Wales (and Wrexham have got a s*it team)they might be able to tempt people round to following RL instead. Which they might. For a short time.

Anyone who lives around Wrexham who likes RL will already be a fan of one of the local SL sides ie Warrington, St Helens. That doesnt automatically mean they will follow the Crusaders just because they are Welsh. Because in fact....they arent Welsh! The coaching staff are all English and most of the squad are Australian.

The effort in South Wales by the people in charge was nothing short of pitiful.

The marketing campaign for this game up at Wrexham was never seen in the 4 years the club was down here. Wrexham have managed in one game what Crusaders set up under Leighton Samuel could not achieve in 4 seasons. He tried to do it on the cheap and failed. South Wales would still be the best place for a club, just it would need to be in Cardiff and with people who actually want to do the whole thing properly.

Just to add I think considering the league position, 2 wins at home all season and the ridiculously bad way the club performed from things like ticketing to merchandise (there was nothing available for around a third of the season) I think our average home crowd and the enthusiasm shown by the fans as far from bad.

I said half way through last season that the thing that would wind me up the most is people will write it off as a failure not knowing that virtually everything was done on the cheap and half hearted. If this Wrexham set up was down in South Wales last season then we would still be there now. Sadly they were not.

So by your definition if those that are already RL fans won't switch to Crusaders then the move to Wrexham will introduce some 6 - 7k to RL. Just out of interest what is your view if Crusaders get a 9k crowd on Friday?

Not sure who you support but would be interested to see whether your team have made such an achievement?

He's a WUM, don't feed him!

I know but I always feel sorry for those less fortunate than the rest of us and in his case the least fortunate

But isn't that the RL way , all us so called flatcappers want is for expansion to be done properly , and that costs , by the sound of it the mob up at Wrexham understand what they need to do

So why dont the RFL understand what they need to do ?

A gradual geographical expansion is how many of us heartland fans suggested it should be done

I sincierly hope it works out , but my main concern is that the South Wales club now gets support to survive and prosper , they have the player base , they must be encouraged to use it

South Wales would have worked had the money been available to put into the club for 3 years or more I am confident of that.

There were players showing potential after less than a season with an academy. That shows the untapped potential down here. The venture down here now needs to build slowly both on and off the field and make sure they only take steps which they are willing, ready and able to take. You never know, in the meantime a bloke or collection of people may come forward with a wedge of cash and promise to back the club but let's get the money up front this time before taking a chance. It can and I feel will work down here in South Wales.

All I am saying is don't let a half assed attempt with a skeleton staff off the field and NL1 standard players in the main on the field fool you into thinking rugby league has no future down here.

Leave Leigh out of this.

Too slow , as usual

It's been a cold off-season. I'm just warming up

Well I'm hoping it's warmer in barca tommorrow morning

Clear blue skies and a heady 16oC predicted

That'll do for me , spending the night in Reus , or possibly Salou

I'd make it Reus. Most pubs will be shut in Salou at this time of year.

Stayed in both in the past , bit of business in Mora d Ebre

Nice part of the world, very quiet. Wrong time of year but the beaches round there are excellent and only about 10 miles away from Móra d'Ebre.

, 10 miles , I must be driving the wrong way then , it takes me about 30 minutes drive

best of luck crusaders

hopefully leeds dont belt you and you can retain many of these new fans.

the ground looks v.tidy too

the game as a whole will benefit greatly if it works out

Indeed, hopefully a win too. I'm sure Leeds fans won't mind taking a hit to get the best possible start to the new venture in Wrexham. After all Wigan did it for Catalan.