Crusaders on Parade? (From Campaign Series)

Crusaders on Parade?

10:00am Wednesday 8th July 2009

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WORLD class rugby league could soon be a permanent fixture at Rodney Parade after Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders confirmed they are in relocation talks with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

The struggling Super League side are considering a move from their Brewery Field venue, with Rodney Parade and Wrexham touted as potential new homes.

Major plans have been put forward to build a new £40million state-of-the-art stadium on the site of Rodney Parade, which is owned by Newport RFC.

The 15,000 capacity stadium will be home to both Dragons and Newport and having the Crusaders on board for the summer months would be an exciting development.

The Crusaders management are hoping for a good turnout when they play Leeds Rhinos at Rodney Parade on Saturday, August 22.

A bumper attendance for this ‘on the road’ home fixture could persuade them to move east as they battle to make their mark in their first year as a top flight club.

This week the Rugby Football League sent in a task force to provide assistance to the Crusaders.

Leighton Samuel, the Crusaders’ owner and chairman reacted to concerns over the club’s financial state by insisting he remains fully committed, and the RFL 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.’’ Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner said: “We are the Welsh representatives in the Super League and we have to look at various options, hence the game on the road at Rodney Parade against Leeds. We’ve got to look at options whether we stay in Bridgend or move to Rodney Parade or Wrexham.

“We need further discussions. Everyone at the Dragons has been unbelievably helpful and pro-active. We couldn’t wish for a better partnership.”

Gethin Jenkins, chief executive of both Rodney Parade Limited and the Dragons, said: “We have a very good working relationship with the Crusaders and are looking at the opportunity of hosting further fixtures at Rodney Parade.”

The Crusaders, 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 their nine home games so far.

In 2008, the Crusaders finished second in National League One and won a three-year licence to play in Super League.

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