DIEHARD
08-12-09, 07:49 PM
Crusaders set for Wrexham move
engage 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 Premier League football team, although they will not sever all ties with the south.
They intend to stage several matches ?on the road?, probably in Neath, which is the intended home for a new Co-operative Championship One side.
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 playing matches ?on the road? 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 ?Celtic? 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 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, but 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.
Source: Euro Super League
engage 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 Premier League football team, although they will not sever all ties with the south.
They intend to stage several matches ?on the road?, probably in Neath, which is the intended home for a new Co-operative Championship One side.
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 playing matches ?on the road? 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 ?Celtic? 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 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, but 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.
Source: Euro Super League