There is in fact some good development work going on in Wrexham College where they have had a rugby league team for some time. Many of their players play for Chester Wolves in the RL Conference in the summer.

The why's and wherefors of whether they should move to wrexham should not centre on development! The fact they were given their franchise based on the South wales location is probably the biggest issue for supporters of widnes I would think.

From a purely selfish point of view a move to Wrexham would suit me and many other supporters down to the ground. It would in actual fact be the shortest journey for me to any Super League game and that includes Home matches at the Willows. I live on the Wirral now and it takes me an hour on a Friday night to watch my beloved Reds at home. Wrexham would be just 30 mins

It is indeed however, a huge joke and one that was foretold to the RFL. The folly of spreading the game to places that don't want it. Crowds at Gateshead, Celtic have been very poor and Harlequins/ London/ Fulham have always been poor and continue to be to a large degree. I feel for Widnes particularly!!!

Maybe the RFL have played a blinder here. I see that a team from Bridgend has no applied to gain access to the Championship here. So if this goes ahead we keep a team down there in South Wales and now we can have a base in North Wales Wrexham thus having a North v South rivalry in Wales, 2 clubs in the Principality and the RFL are redeemed for their initial cock up*! Just a thought (*Although I do realise this maybe a little too shapr for the RFL )

Maybe the RFL have played a blinder here. I see that a team from Bridgend has no applied to gain access to the Championship here. So if this goes ahead we keep a team down there in South Wales and now we can have a base in North Wales Wrexham thus having a North v South rivalry in Wales, 2 clubs in the Principality and the RFL are redeemed for their initial cock up*! Just a thought (*Although I do realise this maybe a little too shapr for the RFL )

mmm conspiracy or cock-up? The RFL? Now let me think ????

There's a long thread on VT re a merger Widnes/Celtic: if you can get through the name-calling, it does bring up some interesting facts re Celtic.

The Celtic fans are quite upset as there has been work ongoing on producing youth players: all is likely to become unstuck with the move to Wrexham.

Owt's possible now they've got Michael Witt.

Let's see : Paris sniffing for a SL place (again), Oldham homeless and Celtic moving to a football area... sheesh. (Not to mention our stadium)

king of the shed wrote:Maybe the RFL have played a blinder here. I see that a team from Bridgend has no applied to gain access to the Championship here. So if this goes ahead we keep a team down there in South Wales and now we can have a base in North Wales Wrexham thus having a North v South rivalry in Wales, 2 clubs in the Principality and the RFL are redeemed for their initial cock up*! Just a thought (*Although I do realise this maybe a little too shapr for the RFL ) Interesting idea and could certainately work. However you could say good bye to our franchise if that was the case IMO

king of the shed wrote:Maybe the RFL have played a blinder here. I see that a team from Bridgend has no applied to gain access to the Championship here. So if this goes ahead we keep a team down there in South Wales and now we can have a base in North Wales Wrexham thus having a North v South rivalry in Wales, 2 clubs in the Principality and the RFL are redeemed for their initial cock up*! Just a thought (*Although I do realise this maybe a little too shapr for the RFL ) Interesting idea and could certainately work. However you could say good bye to our franchise if that was the case IMO

They were let in as stated to promote RL in South Wales.. failed
They have to have their own stadium.. failed
They have to increasetheir fan base.. failed

On those three alone they should not get another franchise.
Worryingly though Salford are not much better in the required Franchise conditions.

Crap! the rugby league are changing the goal post again, I wondered why Noble had taken the job, done a deal with the rugby football league. Mr Noble you can have any player you want, we will smooth it over don't worry about the plebs up North we will keep feeding the bull s...

Another nail in another grass route club!! who will be next Salford?

Good move by Crusaders going to Wrexham.

In my opinion Rugby League has not and never will be a success down in South Wales.
If the Crusaders move to Wrexham on a perminant basis I'm sure under the leadership of Brian Noble they will improve on the paddock and also next season there gates will increase by the sole factor more away fans will attend these fixtures rather than before when having to face that long trip down to Bridgend.

Good luck to all concerned with Rugby League in North Wales.

How long before Wrexham goes wrong and they end up moving to the North West?

I made the point that Leighton Samuels was a recipe for disaster before they got the license and I have unfortunately been proved correct. He has no track record of medium to long term involvement in RL (unlike JW etc) and that alone should have meant Celtic (/Crusaders - whatever) spent another three years in NL1 to prove they had solid foundations in place.

PSG deja vu anyone?

Technically Wrexham is not part of the traditional RL heartlands but in reality the people of Wrexham/North Wales already have easy access to Super League via St Helens.

looks a done deal with some games on the road in south wales, i wonder who will get that honour?