RFL to help Crusaders

Governing body remains committed to Welsh franchise

Last updated: 6th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

RFL to help Crusaders

Celtic Crusaders: difficult maiden season in Super League

It was always going to be tough for Celtic in their first year as an engage Super League club and the RFL is lending its expertise to provide the support they need.

Gary Tasker
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Super League strugglers Celtic Crusaders are to receive assistance from a Rugby Football League task force.

Leighton Samuel, the Crusaders owner and chairman, insists he remains fully committed and the RFL have revealed they are providing a helping hand through their clubs' support programme.

"It was always going to be tough for Celtic in their first year as an engage Super League club and the RFL is lending its expertise to provide the support they need," said RFL director of development Gary Tasker.

"When their Super League licence was first approved, the world was a very different place to what it is now and no-one at Celtic Crusaders could have anticipated many of the difficulties they have faced.

"However, they are in it for the long haul and we are determined to do what we can to help them find additional investors."

Former Wakefield chief executive Steve Ferres and ex-Hull chief executive David Plummer are working alongside Tasker, who was one of the driving forces behind the successful rebranding of Bradford Bulls in 1995.

The Crusaders, who are bottom of the table with just two wins from their first 19 matches, need an average home gate of 4,500 but have surpassed that figure at Brewery Field in only three of the nine home games in their first year.

The club are thought to be considering a move from Bridgend next season, with Newport Gwent Dragons' Rodney Parade among the options being explored, and are set to stage a Super League fixture at Wrexham FC's Racecourse ground.