crow,

No I think we'll follow proper procedure instead.

Which of the teams we beat in NL1 would you give our place to?

Widnes? Naaah, hammered them.
Halifax? Remember last time they were in? What did they win? 2 matches?
Leigh? Didn't exactly cover themselves in glory last time either.

With all due respect, it is now a proven fact that the Celtic Crusaders played 6 ineligible players in order to achieve this.

Not something you want to be shouting form the roof tops about that is it?

Clearly they WERE eligible to play. Because they did.

But if you need to go digging for adminstrative errors to claim victory, fill yer boots.

I think we won many more matches then two in the 8 years we were in SL. We had one very very bad season when we went down.

No they weren't. This is why they have now been deported. Celtic have fielded ineligible players for the whole period of their stay in NL1 & NL2. This is a statement of fact and is irrefutable.




I'm not the one claiming victory here, that was you. What Celtic have done, by fielding these players - knowingly or otherwise - has more significant ramifications than just a few games against Widnes.

I think you'll also find that this may not be just a case of [i'administrative errors'[/i.



[urlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/18/celtic-crusaders-australians-visas[/url



All this talk of blaming UKBA for changing the rules for this situation just doesn't wash. The rules on working holiday visas were changed as far back as 2005. All that happened at the end of last season was a new points system was introduced. All clubs had a meeting with the UKBA in Manchester about this last year, therefore all should have been well aware of the situation. Even the UKBA cannot change the rules and then prosecute retrospectively. That, in itself, is illegal. Therefore the contracts of the six players involved must not have been adequate for those seasons.

As the UKBA quote suggests, this situation is far from over. The investigation is still ongoing and we'll soon find out just how culpable, or not, the Celtic Crusaders are in all this.

Indeed.

So please bear in mind that this country's laws of defamation cover both individuals and incorporated bodies (ie businesses). So please can everyone refrain from posting any potentially actionable accusations.

Thanks.

I'm well aware of that, hence I haven't posted anything defamatory and only what has been stated openly by the UKBA itself.

I find it laughable that you suggest having a new whipping boys in the league every year will actually improve the competition. Take Leigh for example as proof that not any club can come up to play the big boys.

play the big boys??????????


[size=150LOL!!!!![/size

Celtic would beat every team in the championship.

I'm not so sure they would with the team they can field at the mo!!!!

But given they have a a massive sky income to recruit a full time squad of quality I would expect any SL club to beat any championship club!

But the notion that they are the "Big Boys"! Well the use of that cliche and your interpretation of it made me laugh out loudly!!!

One day maybe, but most definately not yet!! Their situation is still precarious for now, tho I don't believe it will be should the club escape sanctions from the UKBA, cos I douby the RFL will do anything. Their rediness to distance themselves from the "departure Gate" fiasco or accept any responsibility is frightening. I believe they want a very large carpet and a brush!


Big boys!!!!! aye, if you like!

ATEOD you can all blame the RFL for the situation but lets be honest your clubs have done nothing in trying to match ambition shown to fans. A suposedley big name like Featherstone shouldn't have problems getting crowds of 3000 together, infact if your own supporters supported your club maybe you'd have a chnace of super league.

The main reason franchising was introduced was because of the small clubs these days in the championship used to spend more then they earn in trying to stay up, which more then likely ends in disaster. Leigh have never recovered from there one season in SL, Salford seem to be the yo - yo boys and Widnes was one of those who just used to make up the numbers. Only certain clubs are upto it to have the ability to realistically become a force in SL and most of the championship clubs are not ready. Sure Leigh have a new stadium but can they muster up the support or attract the players ?

Rugby League can't be compared to football and Rugby League isn't a sport which can accomodate promotion and relegation. I don't personally think Celtic was the right choice this time round but having them in the league can attract more money to the sport then why not take it or give it a try. The sport is a business now and we can't let sentiment get in the way, regardless of whether its fair or not.