Celtic Crusaders : Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:59 am  

I'm always sceptical about people "giving assurances". We've seen this before at plenty of clubs, including ours. This whole venture is going to end on it's a**e isn't it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/celtic_crusaders/8134656.stm

I'm always sceptical about people "giving assurances". We've seen this before at plenty of clubs, including ours. This whole venture is going to end on it's a**e isn't it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/celtic_crusaders/8134656.stm

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:46 am  

That's how I see it.

They are talking about moving to Newport for next season with reassurances that they will move back when the new stadium is ready - I can't see it happening.

What I can see happening is that their team will be as poor next year as it is this year, Samuels will have enough and the team will be reformed in Championship 1 with a supporters' trust. They will probably end up playing somewhere other than Bridgend - probably Cardiff.

Of course if you post this on totalrl.com then you would get the usual suspects telling you that you are a bitter flatcapper and that in fact everything is rosy in Bridgend.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:04 am  

Hedgehog King wrote:

That's how I see it.

They are talking about moving to Newport for next season with reassurances that they will move back when the new stadium is ready - I can't see it happening.

What I can see happening is that their team will be as poor next year as it is this year, Samuels will have enough and the team will be reformed in Championship 1 with a supporters' trust. They will probably end up playing somewhere other than Bridgend - probably Cardiff.

Of course if you post this on totalrl.com then you would get the usual suspects telling you that you are a bitter flatcapper and that in fact everything is rosy in Bridgend.

That's the way it seems to be in RL now.

Any opinions that dont espouse setting up clubs in Bermuda or Lima are immediatley pounced upon as being against the greater good of the game.

The pin stickers have taken over the asylum it would seem.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:33 am  

"For the greater good of the game" - would that include poorly performing clubs from developing areas (i,e, not Yorks, Lancs or Cumbria) 'borrowing' players from the superleague in a desperate attempt to get some points?
Or is that just me being cynical?

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:11 am  

Mick W. wrote:

"For the greater good of the game" - would that include poorly performing clubs from developing areas (i,e, not Yorks, Lancs or Cumbria) 'borrowing' players from the superleague in a desperate attempt to get some points?
Or is that just me being cynical?

I think that is a bit too cynical.

If Keighley were rooted to the bottom of the table and getting hammered at home then I don't think we'd pass on any Bulls academy players that might be interested.

Re: Celtic Crusaders : Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:16 am  

aj cougar wrote: I'm always sceptical about people "giving assurances". We've seen this before at plenty of clubs, including ours. This whole venture is going to end on it's a**e isn't it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/celtic_crusaders/8134656.stm Flatcapper. The game needs a strong presence in Wales just as it does in France.

aj cougar wrote: I'm always sceptical about people "giving assurances". We've seen this before at plenty of clubs, including ours. This whole venture is going to end on it's a**e isn't it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/celtic_crusaders/8134656.stm Flatcapper. The game needs a strong presence in Wales just as it does in France.

Re: Celtic Crusaders : Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:41 am  

guess who wrote:

Flatcapper.

The game needs a strong presence in Wales just as it does in France.

No bites in this river mate

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:42 pm  

I think Celtics problems are highlighted more because the fact they are relatively new, but if you look at other clubs in super league they are not alone take for an example the Bulls it is widely accepted and has been publicised in rugby magazines they are in trouble.

My view is before the end of next season at least one super league club will go into administration. Assuming that is the case how will it work now that franchises are in place.

Also as we are all aware Doncaster are the most recent club in administration and as with Super League there will be others, sad but true.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:03 pm  

girl power wrote:

I think Celtics problems are highlighted more because the fact they are relatively new, but if you look at other clubs in super league they are not alone

Celtic have had more dramatic crises. Bradford may have their troubles but I doubt that they will be thinking about moving to Manchester in an attempt to rescue their club.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:35 pm  

Celtic in my humble opinion are trying to get into basically what is a union stronghold so clearly they will have a struggle. When we were there when Cougars played them we spoke to a few locals who were mainly union supporters who said they had no issue with league but the owner of Crusaders and previously Bridgend rugby union.

That is a major issue which I think will be hardest to overcome. The club refer to moving to Newport but as anyone investigated if there is any interest there, I assume they have.

With reference to Hedgehog King the point I was trying to make was that Celtic are not the only Super League club with financial problems. The Bulls are looking at either sharing with Bradford City at Valley parade assuming the sporting village manages to actually happen. If Bradford City the Bulls will have to look at playing outside the city.

Wherever they play its not far enough away