Expansionsits: Where are they now? Crusaders

After failed bids from Cardiff and Swansea back in 1998, Super League eventually gave a licence to a Welsh side ahead of the 2009 season.

Rugby League had taken off in Wales, with plenty of strong teams in the amateur ranks, and rumours were growing that one of them was going to invited to join the professional leagues.

Particularly after the news that the National League Two was going to be restructured and expanded back in 2006.

That pleasure ended up going to the Celtic Crusaders, who had risen from the ashes of former rugby union side Celtic Warriors.

They did well in their first season since the step up to the National League, finishing third. They were promoted a year later as champions.

The Crusaders were earning praise and finished second in the BBC’s Wales Sports Team of the Year. They finished behind Welsh football champions The New Saints.

To mark their promotion to National League One, the Crusaders set up a new team called the Crusaders Colts, who would allow them to scout young Welsh players. They played in the National Conference Division.

It was a landmark season for them. They reached the Grand Final, however they were beaten by Salford City Reds after extra time. However, it didn’t stop them from being awarded the Super League licence for 2009.

Super League

Reality seemed to hit home in their first season, as they finished bottom of the Super League, having only won three games all season.

They were against Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls and Salford.

Trouble and demise

Concerns were starting to be raised about the longevity of the project. The club was reported to be facing financial difficulties. Club chairman Leighton Samuels insisted the club was safe.

In that first 12 months, they changed permanent homes three times. They started in Bridgend, then moved onto Newport and then Wrexham.

However, there was some serious trouble down the line, as the UK Border Agency announced they were doing an investigation into the club.

Following the investigation, players Jace Van Dijk, Tony Duggan, Damian Quinn, Darren Mapp, Mark Dalle Court and Josh Hannay were all banned from entering the country for ten years.

This brought a lot of bad publicity for the club and they were subsequently fined £60,000 by the RFL.

Crusaders RL

In December 2009, Samuels decided to sell his share in the club, and he accused the RFL of not wanting the Welsh project to succeed.

Head Coach Dixon also left the club after four years. He was replaced by successful former Great Britain and Bradford coach Brian Noble.

Shortly after, they announced they had dropped the ‘Celtic’ from their name and proceeded to just be known as Crusaders.

One the pitch, they had a much better season as they made the playoffs. However, they were beaten in the first round by Huddersfield Giants.

A few months later, they were placed into administration due to inherited debt.

Liquidation

Despite being placed into administration, the club still tried to extend their Super League licence beyond the 2011 season.

However, it was soon withdrawn, as new owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts both said they couldn’t fund the club anymore.

They were wound up in September 2011.

New club

A new club was formed ahead of the 2012 season, and went into Championship One.

They started out at the Racecourse Ground, but now play at the Queensway Stadium both are in Wrexham. They  continue to play in League One.

Their best recent day came when they were promoted as champions to the Championship. However, they were relegated as part of the re-shuffle a year later.

They also have a Welsh derby in League One with the West Wales Raiders, previously South Wales Ironmen. They will be hoping to get towards the playoffs this year.