Well said Phil Clarke - even if the RFL are trying to keep a low profile - some are prepared to stand up and be counted

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 51,00.html


also

From Dave Hadfield of the Independant:-

Quote

"Many of us let our hearts rule our heads when we supported the elevation of the Celtic Crusaders to Super League this season.

We wanted them to succeed because of the obvious benefits for the game of a thriving club in South Wales.

And yet there was a little voice in the back of our heads saying: "They're not ready and there's something not right about them."

In one sense, that worry had already turned out to be well-founded before the events of this week. A team largely composed of bulk bought Australians had not really been competitive and it was proving hard work to attract fans to Brewery Field.

Now it transpires that the Crusaders earned their Super League place with half a dozen players who shouldn't have been there.

It's a scam on a par with the last days of Paris St Germain and explains why other teams in what were then the National Leagues were constantly muttering about them.

One of those mutterings was that the RFL was so determined to have them in Super League that it would turn a blind eye to any defects.

It all raises the question of whether the League applied due diligence to the club's visa situation. They said yesterday, in effect, that it wasn't their business.

Not good enough - not when you have the integrity of a competition to maintain.

It has all proved a terrible embarrassment to the game, which just looks a shambles.

I still hope the Crusaders can succeed. There have been some hopeful signs in their grass-roots work and the drip feed of young Welsh players into the first team.

And there will be a glimpse of the future on Saturday, when they play at Newport, their home for next season.

They have also promised a stronger team for next year. Let's just hope all their paperwork is in order".

Well said Phil Clarke - even if the RFL are trying to keep a low profile - some are prepared to stand up and be counted

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 51,00.html


also

From Dave Hadfield of the Independant:-

Quote

"Many of us let our hearts rule our heads when we supported the elevation of the Celtic Crusaders to Super League this season.

We wanted them to succeed because of the obvious benefits for the game of a thriving club in South Wales.

And yet there was a little voice in the back of our heads saying: "They're not ready and there's something not right about them."

In one sense, that worry had already turned out to be well-founded before the events of this week. A team largely composed of bulk bought Australians had not really been competitive and it was proving hard work to attract fans to Brewery Field.

Now it transpires that the Crusaders earned their Super League place with half a dozen players who shouldn't have been there.

It's a scam on a par with the last days of Paris St Germain and explains why other teams in what were then the National Leagues were constantly muttering about them.

One of those mutterings was that the RFL was so determined to have them in Super League that it would turn a blind eye to any defects.

It all raises the question of whether the League applied due diligence to the club's visa situation. They said yesterday, in effect, that it wasn't their business.

Not good enough - not when you have the integrity of a competition to maintain.

It has all proved a terrible embarrassment to the game, which just looks a shambles.

I still hope the Crusaders can succeed. There have been some hopeful signs in their grass-roots work and the drip feed of young Welsh players into the first team.

And there will be a glimpse of the future on Saturday, when they play at Newport, their home for next season.

They have also promised a stronger team for next year. Let's just hope all their paperwork is in order".