Catalans where given a two year guaranteed stay in super league, which came at the expense of the 11th placed super league clubs. Not a three year franchise which wasn't awarded until two years later, which is what I am actually talking about.

FAO ALAN, sorry been at work all day and then family issues to see to! Thanks for the prompt response last night. You are quite correct, I was upset by your article, but I accept your apology. This is a very sensitive subject at present and I appreciate you would not have expected any Crusaders or Wales rugby league supporters to be picking up the programme yesterday.

Emotions are running high at present for Crusaders fans with the totally unexpected situation we find ourselves in. Most of us in rugby league, whoever we support, have been angered at times by the way the RFL has addressed the licensing system over the years, but please note the people involved with the present Crusaders RL at all levels (the 2 owners excepted) are innocent parties in this fiasco. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion but to kick the Crusaders now in the manner you did is insensitive, be it satirical or not (sorry, can’t see it myself and I read your piece each home game).

Rugby League has always prided itself on being one big family and we look after one another when times are hard. You know the saying “There but for the grace of God…”. I truly hope that we here at Leigh don’t find ourselves without a club in the near future and can find some resolution to our own situation because believe me it’s heartbreaking. If both my clubs went to the wall the WRU doesn't really appeal.

I’ll be back at Leigh on Saturday for the Toulouse game (and no doubt buying a programme as I always have done) and then at Wrexham with a very heavy heart on Sunday for the final home game.

Supporters of other clubs are most welcome to come along to see for themselves how much Crusaders RL means if they have doubted this. Please though – cash sales only for tickets on the day. Any pre-booked credit card sales will go to the pockets of the ghastly owners instead of the Crusaders.

Other points raised I look forward to discussing with you directly, Alan, which in hindsight maybe I should have done in the first place, but you know, in the heat of the moment and all that ……..

We are no longer ' one big family ' , the Rich relatives don't want to know us anymore

FAO crusading leyther

Cheers for the reply.

Most of us 'flat cappers' don't resent Crusaders, or obviously their fans. What we do resent is the way differing 'rules' apply to different clubs, in the same competition. We ask for level playing fields (i.e.all treated the same - nothing to do with Batley's home ground!) for all. It's difficult to stomach, seeing your team outclassed in the same league, by a team stuffed full of overseas' players - just as it was difficult to witness the canings we received from the likes of Salford and Huddersfield, when they were 'relegated' (I'll wash my mouth out directly!) with the benefit of a huge 'parachute' payment, to maintain the employment of full-time players.

I could go on and on, about inequalities, but I'll save that for 'Flat cap' articles.

Oh, and by the way, I do not believe that Crusaders deprived Leigh of a SL place three years ago - Leigh were never ready in virtually all the criteria, for SL.

Maybe I need to emphasise that I am a Leigh supporter through and through, and am equally disgruntled with the seeming unfairness meted out against Leigh (and others) in the past but this is the RFL's doing not rugby league in Wales - it was this vein in the article that I took particular exception to. I left the programme in Leigh for others to read so I will address the various points at the weekend, Alan. I need it back anyway because I have the autograph of "he used to be xxxxx, but now he's alright" in it!

Tell the tight ******* to buy their own!

We're nearly all 'flat cappers' in Leigh, but obviously not all called 'Alan', or related to him! Also, we do not need to boost (sorry!) our gates by giving free tickets, a la Crusaders - we simply take our ferrets along and clock them through the turnstiles.

How many can you fit down yer kecks Alan ? , my records 12

Ah but if I said considerably less than that, you might accuse me of bragging!

No - I'm the tight ******. They buy, I read, they read, I keep

And you've been criticising?

I won't add my views to this argument but will say it's nice to see Crusdading Leyther and Alan having such completely opposing points of view and yet managing to discuss them politely and maturely on here with resorting to insults and point-scoring.

Without wanting to sound patronising, well done fellas - good to see two such passionate, committed RL fans can still argue their own differing view with some dignity, whilst keeping the good of the game at heart.

Dare I ask about the whippets?

No we don't put them down our pants

, just for interest if you like a laugh at norther stereotypes , put ' Yorkshire Airlines ' in you tube , absolutely classic

I'll discuss topics 'politely and maturely' (thanks Fatboys Limb) about the Welsh, but if you're going to bring 'Yorkies' into it too.....................

I had to laugh at that quote from my own post, as it was followed by lengthy discussion of ferrets down trousers?!?

Surreal!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VLYpKGVBUg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VLYpKGVBUg

We Leythers are sophisticated enough to discuss any topic 'politely and maturely'

Alan - At last I've found time to respond to your article in the programme but it would be too long to put on here. If you can pm me your email address Alan I'll be in touch.

Last night I had chance to watch the recording of last week's Fans Forum and was heartened to hear the ideas and see enthusiasm of everyone involved. Great stuff!

I just had to laugh though at the reference to Crusading Leyther, Alan - you were so way off beam