Traffic wrote:Not an easy one to answer but here goes, no-one said that expansion would be easy and to be fair putting a side in SL and expecting it to compete with clubs with over 100 years of existence after 6 years is absolute folly, so either it packs up and we give up on places south of the M62 or we stick at it for the longer haul. Yes the club should have had longer to grow a fan base and firmer foundations but the issue is that Wales is 100 years behind in RL terms so we either fast-track and that could cost the 'weakest' of the RFL's viewed lesser strategic teams their licence (and I do not see that as a good thing in any way, shape or form) or give up on playing RL anywhere outside of the 'heartlands'
It's no bed of roses being a fan of the Crusaders at any point but fellow fans having no sympathy for us is a bit harder to take, I have every sympathy for whatever club may lose it's licence (and even a sense of guilt)
You're statement that Welsh RL is failing is so wide of the mark, could you please explain how you view Welsh RL as failing? (not Crusaders failing but Welsh RL)
I'll take the "Welsh" part back, I wouldn't know enough about the grass roots there. But, Crusaders are failing spectacularly and don't deserve a place in SL above Wakefield just because they're an expansion team. It would be a disgrace. You say that 6 years is folly, how long have Catalan been in existence?
Joined: Mar 22 2009 Posts: 1200 Location: South Wales
east hull FC fan wrote:I'll take the "Welsh" part back, I wouldn't know enough about the grass roots there. But, Crusaders are failing spectacularly and don't deserve a place in SL above Wakefield just because they're an expansion team. It would be a disgrace. You say that 6 years is folly, how long have Catalan been in existence?
The Catalan Dragons since 2001, RL in Catalan goes back to the 1930's at least.
Joined: Sep 18 2010 Posts: 4623 Location: Easter Island
RL will never expand further than the M62 with such narrow minded 'fans', maybe it is just the novelty but I personally prefer the trips to both Wales and London t'Wakey and wish both clubs well.
Fingers crossed we don't end up with Kear.
Michelangelo, 1475-1564. ---------- Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. ----------
As others have said, how is this our fault as fans ? Why does it seem to be only our fans who get blamed for our clubs faults ?
I think Crusaders can work if it is given time. Since we have been in North Wales, we have changed North Wales a lot in Rugby League terms. People want Crusaders and will back it. There is no real issue with the fans, I think its more about the club. Our marketing is very poor and we could do a lot better with bringing people through the gates. I have to say since Rod Findlay has joined the set-up at Crusaders, we have improved behind the scences. To bring Rugby League into Wales is a hard task, but one that can pay off.
The stage that Rugby League is at, you either stay in the heartlands and never be able to get anywhere near Rugby Union on a national level or you explore into new area's ? Do we really want to be stuck behind Rugby Union ? I have lived in Wales all my life and I can say I can't stand Union and never really have liked it. Look at Catalans, that has worked. The problem with Quins is that they are in an area that is purely Rugby Union and no other code. You could argue the same in South Wales, but in the North, there are a lot more people with an appetite for the game of Rugby League.
We need time and I think the RFL will give us that. Similar to ''Traffic'', I'd feel guilty if Wakey left SL. They're a traditional Rugby League side with a lot of history, but our national sport needs Crusaders, Catalans and Quins to progress.
Love my Rugby League.
The game will survive in North Wales. Too much work and effort has been put in, to let it go to waste. We have an appetite for this sport and we'll make it work.
You're likely to see me in a Crusaders shirt, in a Warrington game or a Catalans game.
Traffic wrote:The Catalan Dragons since 2001, RL in Catalan goes back to the 1930's at least.
And yet the rabid expansionists hold the Catalan Dragons up as an expansion success story. They're no more an expansion team that Featherstone or Dewsbury are.
I think if the Welsh side was located in Wrexham from day one and all the support and effort had gone into that area the Crusaders would be in a much better position than they are.
Joined: Aug 24 2005 Posts: 15807 Location: East Hull
Traffic wrote:Best give it up as a bad job if you want RL to be a game played and viewed as played only in the North, clearly RL anywhere else should not be tried.
Honestly is that what you want for the game?
Just been realistic....
"The Mail understands..." NOTHING!
[quote="-VIKINGMAN-"]Respect to Roofs, the president of East Hull. [/quote]
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