I think he is leaving Crusaders. Good luck Budders in whatever you do.

Where have you read this- I suspect the writing was on the wall when they brought a hooker in from Hull

hope they've got enough antibiotics, I wouldn't recommend one from my home town

Yeah, they didn't renew his contract, quite sad actually he makes a decent SL hooker.
You could see his class in Euro nations final when he played for Wales, was a very stand out player in that match when given the opportunity.

Super League's fledging club, Crusaders, are putting the finishing touches to a deal that will see them move lock, stock and barrel from south Wales to Wrexham.

The former Bridgend club will be based at the Racecourse Ground from 2010, sharing a home with the Blue Square Pemier football team, although they will not sever all ties with the south.

The club intend to stage several matches "on the road", probably in Neath, which is the intended home for a new Championship One club.

It is a reversal of the original plans of the club, who in August announced a move from Bridgend to Newport's Rodney Parade in a bid to attract more investment but with the intention of some playing matches in Wrexham.

Wales Rugby League president Mike Nicholas, the former Warrington and Wales forward who is helping to broker the deal with Wrexham owner Geoff Moss, described the move as "growing pains" but insisted the future remains bright for rugby league in Wales.

"It's part of the growing process of the club," he said. "It's a short-term pain for the long-term gain.

"It's very close to being finalised. We're on the verge of a big breakthrough."

Crusaders' current owner, Leighton Samuel, is thought to be ready to cut his losses and hand over the club to Moss, a Chester businessman who has come up with the financial backing that failed to materialise in south Wales.

The Racecourse Ground had already been earmarked to host the opening game of engage Super League XV, the Crusaders' clash with defending champions Leeds Rhinos on January 29, and will now become their latest home.

The Welsh club, launched at the Brewery Field in 2006, endured a difficult inaugural season in Super League, winning only three matches under coach John Dixon, and could still face a £60,000 fine by the UK Border Agency over visa irregularities.

They were hoping to make a fresh start in Newport, having ditched the 'Celtic' part of their name in a re-branding exercise and appointing a high-profile coaching team in Brian Noble, Jon Sharp and Iestyn Harris.

All three coaches remain committed to the club, although Harris is likely to be also involved in the proposed set-up in Neath, which hopes to be given the green light to take part in Championship One in 2010.

That will help fill the void created by the departure of the Crusaders, although Neath have long-term ambitions to join Super League.

The Crusaders are only 12 months into a three-year Super League licence and were one of five clubs to receive warning letters in the summer that they needed to improve their ground facilities.


Ridiculous rumour #4396 said that Gavin Henson has been house-hunting around The Wirral.

So it's Budders for Neath maybe?

Surely that is be-Neath him? So sorry......................

is this an attempt to increase crowds by getting closer to the traditional heart lands of RL?
is it a big risk, the supporter base they built playing in NL and first year in SL was obviously Bridgend based, does this mean they are going to Wrexham with a fan base in the local area of "0" maybe they should just change there name to Widnes/crusaders move there and then have there dedicated fan base

so much for Welsh expansion!!! wrexham in virtually Cheshire

At leasty when we moved grounds we stayed in the same town! ok its a big town to move around in
I cannot see the Bridgend based faithfull going up to N Wales, Newport yes but Wrexham not a sensible journewy for most

According to [url=http://viewtopic.php?f=2&t=430512&start=326this[/url Budders is going to be basking in the sun in Queensland.

Matt (Juan) Gafa back in Canberra.

Neil Budworth - MacKay Cutters
To anyone who isn't clicking on the link.
And what is Gafa doing back in Canberra then? Playing or just living?

It's on the same link Tim.

My bad, didn't see his name the first time looking.