Won NRC in 2009

All criteria was based around 2008, 09 and this season but Salford took the lot in 08 playing Celtic in the final so basically just 2009 & 2010.

'Crusaders directors hope to enter administration by the end of the week.'

Is this some sort of joke to them now? Shows a real big problem if this is being seen as a good thing I mean WTF? God help the RFL in court for the image rights as I can't see the HMRC being too chuffed if they let Cru wipe off debt and take no action!

I could understand their hard stance with Blackpool based on getting HMRC on side showing that they are committed to all RL clubs paying bills etc.

The whole crusaders in super league episode has been a joke mate. Three seasons under what looks like it's going to be three different names and they've played at three different grounds. Clearly weren't ready for super league and have made the game a laughing stock once again. Actually it's not the clubs fault and I do feel for their fans. The blame lies firmly at the feet of the powers that be for basically frog marching them in to the top division and then assisting with payments to players (I know a relative of a cru player so know this to be true). Now it looks like they will be vending more rules to keep them here, the whole situation is way beyond a joke. The member clubs should boycott the league and demand a level playing field but none (including ourselves) will have the bottle to do so. Potentially letting a heartlands club go down the swanny for this joke of an expansion club Borders on criminal.

What makes me laugh is that the fans of clubs whose position aren't under threat when the next round of franchises come around try to justify why the expansion area teams should be kept in and why clubs like us should be booted out. My favourite is "you have been in existence for over 100 years so had 100 years to get it right and haven't" - The fact we have been around for so long even though we have had some very dark days, shows that there has been and is still a passion for the club in the district. You can't just manufacture generations of support.

Hopefully NM comes off and that is the catalyst for us to start growing as a club and cement our place in the top league, which we earnt on the field and have kept ever since by results on the field.

I'd kick Castleford out and replace them a club from Paris.

I think, joke or not, that at the end of the day, RFL is Sky's passport to dishes elsewhere.
Pull the plug on expansion, and we are back to semi-pro RL.

And who is to say that is such a bad thing.

1) Not sure on numbers, and probs not that many. However if it gets popular in pubs, etc.etc.

2) Sadly so true.

No you can't and its that "backbone" that takes 100 years, will the "expansion clubs" ever reach that stage.

I hope Celtic survive and grow into a stand alone club but they must play on a level playing field, unlike the one i see developing at the moment.

I'm not sure they have been so much a joke this season tbf... they did well performance wise and posted some very decent attendance figures. Financially, not much of what they are facing appears to have been brought about in the last twelve months but from before that. Playing devil's advocate here there is an argument that it would be interesting to see how they would develop if they were given a clear slate over the next 12 months.

I do & don't agree with this. On field they were great but on avearge had what 2 UK born players in the 17 a week? Attendances were good but there would of been a lot of free tickets (natural). So the next 12 months would be massive for them... however they are not completely blameless for finances.

Yes it was Samuel's debt... but a debt they aquired in takeover? A debt they ignored whilst luring Thomas from Union? By sending Elliot Kear & Lloyd White (Welsh star internationals) to CHAMP ONE rugby to sign Sammut / Hanbury and Clinton Schivcovske mid season. That squad will not have been cheap due to it's late nature forcing players to up sticks asap.

They were building something their over the last 12 months but is it wise to do that whilst risking the future of Welsh RL completely from a financial view point? Where do you draw the line... considering SL is now all about business plans etc.

Its more likely a case of there are dishes already in these areas with subscriptions to Sky sports, but with a team in their area the games are potentially broadcasting to a much wider demographic rather than just us Ooop North thus being a much more attractive proposition to comapnies (selling stuff other than bitter and mucky fat) wanting to advertise their product.