www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/spo ... -27596732/ seems they escape again...

www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/spo ... -27596732/ seems they escape again...

Absolutely staggering if true - presumable Widnes won't rock the boat as they expect to get a franchise, but I wonder if anyone else might feel the need to consult m'learned friends ?

Though the latest on the Crusaders official site says the whole thing is a mistake and HMRC will be withdrawing the order
[urlhttp://www.crusadersrfl.com/article.php?id=3087[/url

They would wouldnt they, at the same time as taking the RFL for every penny they can .................................. all in the name of expansion

you couldnt make this up

You surely couldn't!!

And now the worst kept secret comes true - Nobby quits

[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/celtic_crusaders/9109417.stm[/url

gone into administration

How on earth have they been able to recruit new playing staff this week??

I've been a great exponant of a Welsh franchise but think this now has become a joke that unless dealt with properlly by the RFL will cause no end of embaressment (not to mention legal difficulties) when the next round of franchises are announced.

As I keep pointing out, Crusaders say the move to Wrexham was better than they expected, well how many turned up when they had to pay? Such as when they played us and we took a large following, in game they could have seen as crusaders winning,which their fans should have turned up to.

Call me a cynic, but I think the RFL will do slightly more for the Crusaders than they appear to have done for Blackpool.

It saddens me greatly to see Blackpool disappear. I really used to enjoy our Easter visits there in the days of one division. I was pleased to see the excellent work that Martin Crompton did for them against the odds - and now it seems they will just disappear.

I haven't seen any details of the RFL trying to bail them out. I've seen that Blackpool failed to meet a deadline. The noise from the RFL has hardly been deafening - or have I missed something?

To be fair, they actually signed Paul Johnson a while back. Other than that its just been players resigning hasn't it? Plus they have got rid of Brian Noble and replaced him with Harris, who was already on the coaching staff. Oh and they have let Thackray go to Barrow. IF we were in Crusaders' shoes would you still judge them so harshly? Don't get me wrong, it has been a bit farsical at times, but you shouldn't punish them too hard or give up on them.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. The RFL didn't help out Oldham but have helped out Harlequins is another example. Unfortunately I think some if it is that Blackpool and Oldham games don't get shown on Sky, therefore they don't matter to Sky, therefore the RFL don't get any money from for bailing them out. If they help Crusaders out then Sky care because they show Super League every week and it might help them sell a few more satellite dishes in Wales. Thats not the only reason obviously.

If the RFL help them out it will be an absolute joke and a real kick in the teeth for Blackpool who had no help at all. If another club get kicked out rather than Crusaders the RFL should hang their heads in shame

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 149935.stm On this criteria, does that mean they cannot be grated a Super League license? But will be if they change their name?!!

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 149935.stm On this criteria, does that mean they cannot be grated a Super League license? But will be if they change their name?!!