Crusaders drop 'Celtic' from name

[~lee~]

Wales' Super League club have dropped 'Celtic' from their name and will now be known as Crusaders Rugby League.

The name change coincides with their move from Bridgend's Brewery Field to Rodney Parade in Newport.

Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner said: "We've been working hard on building a club that represents Wales and not just one area.

"In the past we've been associated a little too much with the old [rugby union region] Celtic Warriors."

The club are making a fresh start after finishing bottom of the table in their first season of Super League.

In addition to moving to Rodney Parade, the club have a new-look coaching staff in Brian Noble, Jon Sharp and Iestyn Harris, who is also the new Wales coach.

Noble, a former coach of Great Britain, Bradford and Wigan, replaced John Dixon.

The Crusaders hope to announce a host of new signings later this month.

Formed as Celtic Crusaders in 2005, the club have also changed their logo to a new modern design that has the Prince of Wales feathers on a St David's cross background.

bbc.co.uk

[DIEHARD]

Probably for the best if we want a Crusaders that represents all of Wales without any of the baggage from an old rugby union franchise.

I hope they can have a great season in 2010, getting Noble was a masterstroke. I hear their backer may pull out, but the RFL needs to back the Crusaders to the hilt.