I seriously think the club now, with the imminent move to Wrexham, have a great chance of getting a SL place the next time around.

The ground is better than a lot of grounds in the SL and is no longer a problem. I believe Nobby and Co will improve things on the field. I also think the 30 odd miles away from Widnes still makes the club an expansion club regardless of the clubs close by based on previous RFL criteria of being 20 miles away from another club earning a point.

The big stumbling block will be crowds. I do believe though with 3,000 home fans the club will average well over 4,000 and would be foot in next time as long as they are run on a decent financial footing.

I am quietly confident now the people who were involved previously will no doubt be gone they will achieve this and a place in SL next time around.

Hope your right mate but the best best was in South Wales. Im predicting a grim tale sadly.

Again, hope im wrong but there is simply no need, desire, want for a SL club in Wrexham and every reason to have one in South Wales

I dunno...
They wont be doing what they were intended to and in that case you've got to assess them really in the same bracket as a widnes or Halifax.
It's alright saying oh look we're 30 miles away on a map but if Widnes could bring double the fans in (both home and away) and have equal facilities, as big a local population and quite the heritage then...
It's not exactly like Wrexham is spreading the game to the majority of Wales

If the RFL allow the move its a smack in the face for so called expansion. 30 miles from Widnes, Wire, Saints etc is hardly going to generate new interest, if there is an interest in RL they will already be making the short trip to these clubs already.

Once again, the Welsh experiment is doomed to failure, lets cut our losses and get Widnes in.

I understand what you are saying but other than it being a lot closer to the other clubs it is a big step up in facilities etc.

I believe South Wales to be the best chance for RL in Wales but if Wrexham is our only opportunity for the time being then that is what we have to go with.

Hopefully one day Crusaders can come home to South Wales again without the pillocks at the club at the moment.

They got in on location, I told Leigh to play a season in Coventry then move back................Franchising is turning out to be the joke many saw at the time. End it now and bring back sanity.
Protecting loss making business's via the 3 years isnt working, we still go for quick fix and lose a fortune, only now its killing the division below

And what's frustrating rover is that it didn't NEED to fail.

A bit of stubborness in adversity was required. But management blinked.

Well I SAY blinked. What I mean was caved in crying like a little girl and ran open armed, clutching at the first (well, second) cheque book that opened.

Its not the only opportunity tho. Go back to Championship, regroup, remarket and build solid foundations. Just dont keep moving and stick to what the purpose of the club is. How you Crusaders fans must be feeling god only knows. You have my every sympathy. I was in the North East when the people their lost their club too

Hopefully Crusaders can settle down now and carry on without any of these major problems. If things calm down and they get some results they will go ok. Of course they now need to build a fan base in a big football area.

I also believe they are still considered an expansion team. People have said expansion should have a sensible approach and we should expand carefully outward from the heartlands down to the south. Well despite being 30 odd miles from Widnes this is still expansion. They are going into a place with no RL after all. It's a chance in one of the many areas which is close to the heartlands but couldnt give a toss about rugby league.

STABILITY that is Crusaders word for the day.

I completely disagree maurice.
The Championship was extremely vibrant this year and I think the stability could do some good. Cas are the perfect example of what a 3 year window allows you, they didn't need to go panic buying last year and they're better off now.



Agree completely.
Better get back asap though

Definitely Ash. It is not ideal but it is expansion of sorts and is in line with what the Hull KR fan posted about sensible expansion. I don't think it is 'sensible' so to speak but is the only option at this time. And oh what would I do for stability off the field this coming season. Nothing flash. Just some progression on the field and stability off it.

Dico,

Don't think it would matter. People move on. If they came back 2011, I don't think too many people would be rushing to welcome them back.

For me I'm hoping (against reality and the RFL it seems) that there will be another team forming on my doorstep soon.

If next year my previous side realised it was wrong to dump me and that it always loved me after all, I'm afraid I will have moved on (even if I don't get my dream club).

Sorry Crusaders, it's over. Make a go of it with Moss, cos i don't want you back.

I feel reet sorry for you lot, after you've bought shirts or whatever.
Shocking the way it's happened

They might both be able to get a refund

Dico,

Sure, it sucks, but those of us who knew Samuel's track record for clearing off when the going got tough, I think we just tried to enjoy it whilst we had it.

Break-ups are never easy, but deep down I knew it wouldn't last so apart from some digs on messageboards, I'm pretty much not bothered.

More keen on getting the right new team now.

Wrexham are welcome to what's left of my ex-club.

Dico, Rovers, guys think of the team you are talking about.

Buying shirts? With 4 weeks to the new season? Crusaders don't HAVE shirts for the new season. No money spent.

Round here that sort of joke's reserved for Leigh fans.

Just out of curiosity will you be travelling every other week up to Wrexham with your fellow Crusaders fans?? or will you follow your local team if they gain entry into Champs1.

Also where are Crusaders going to obtain themselves a whole new fanbase in just over 8 weeks??. Just seems a bad idea to me. Ok it wasnt ideal in South Wales but at least you had a decent base and local youngsters coming through.

as long as crusaders arent broke they pretty much get a SL spot

quins have shown the RFL will go out of its way for expansion teams that are important, and so they should

as long as crusaders survive then junior development will continue along well.

I'll be keeping my season ticket and travelling to all home and most away games if I can.

It is a bad idea but not one we have much choice about I'm afraid.

As for the new club down here, which now looks set to be based in Neath, I will watch their games whenever I can when Crusaders are not playing.

Just to add there won't be many travelling up from here each week and it is a concern. I hope the handful we do retain though still enjoy it, as I am looking to do. Life doesn't always go your way but it is sometimes about making the best of a bad situation. If the South Welsh fans want to watch rugby league and want to watch a Welsh club in Super League then this is what we have to do.

You're a shoe in mate. The RFL do not want and wont have a second high profile expansion mistake in the SL era...! Simple as that really! next time round, the current SL club to be thrown out will come from the following....

Castleford
Salford
Wakefield

and the underpinning decision will hinge on which club doesnt have a new ground by then!!!!

Got to say I agree with you on this , we are not talking about a McDonalds here , Sports fans dont just jump from team to team , as far as I am concerned if the Crusaders move to Wrexham , they should then stay there , end of

If I'd have been looking to expand the game then North Wales would have been a prime spot to look at , although I'd have looked at a smaller ground and a Championship 1 club

But as it stands now if the crusaders are to be in Wrexham then Wrexham has to succeed , it cannot just be moved on again , what would be the point , 2/3 years down the line a couple of thousand fans in north wales lose their club and feel like the Celtic fans do now ?

As for the possible South Wales club , in a similar vien , I'm sure that local rivalries might dissuade some existing Celtic fans from following a club in Neath ,

When will they learn you cannot play with people emotions , as that is what sport is all about

Bye bye Salford it is then, but they shouldn't have been let in in the first place so karma & what not aint it?

Your a miserable sod sometimes Starbug, thats your best post Ive read!!!