www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/29 ... -crusaders

www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/29 ... -crusaders

I am quite surprised by this as I seem to remember Cru being quite vocal critics of the dual registration system. Considering the recruitment they have done during the off season I can't imagine they will rely on Widnes any more than Leigh have on Warrington or Wigan in recent years.

It was the fact that they are already training there that surprised me. (yes, I know it is 'convenient' with many NW based players, but I maintain that you need to have your own home base and use it) Also, I reckon Widnes will want to utilise this arrangement to their full advantage, having found Workington too far away to utilise fully, last season.

According to today's League Express Clive Griffiths said "These lads have already been back for eight weeks...we kick off in February, and I can't all of a sudden say you're not playing because some lad has come in from SL. That just doesn't work and Denis knows that. But if push comes to shove and we're thin on the ground, or there's a loss of form, then there could me some players available to us...you must have your own identity".

We'll see!

Don't know this year.

The partnership between Widnes and Workington, or Saints and Whitehaven, was never going to be ideal, because of the travel involved. My suggestion was that Widnes may push North Wales harder to get game time for their squad members, because there is less distance involved - and the Crusaders are already training at Widnes.

Its one of the great mysteries of the world

Depending which press release you go off or which thread on here we have/not/maybe when it suits/how many times do you need to be told/...delete which you may think is write

Its quite simple as I understand it.

Club has stated we are running with our own strong 20s and first teams and Derek B went on record in public as saying we are not anyone's partner or feeder team that's good enough for me.

Fact we have so many players tells anyone with half brain we won't be relying on Wigan or anyone else to boost our squad numbers though as a professional board would do they have handled the situation respectfully in my opinion

I think NW Crusaders recruitment speaks for it's self and this arrangement will be nothing like the Swinton/Warrington one.

Should be no links formal or informal if P&R is back on the agenda in the Championship.
If all clubs in RL are going to be strong and really try to attract support of the populace they represent they need to be able to stand alone and not have to rely on another club in any other way.

If clubs are pooling resources then get it in the open and explain why with some justification.
NW Crusaders did fine last year and started to really build back up from the floor so surely no need for a link this season and risk the finger pointing of them being somebody else's fitness /training club and the negative vibes that brings locally.
RL has to move from the total shambles it has become off the field and all clubs need to start to build up as stand alone identities no matter how hard or how small those steps need to be especially if the game is ever to really progress from the stagnant nature it is currently in our Pro / Semi Pro leagues.

IF clubs are playing for large sums of prize money, then it should not happen, full stop