Okay, if you notice on the Widnes board there is an article about Haltons MP Derek Twigg hitting out at the RFL over the demise of Celtic Crusaders. He raised this in parliment a few weeks back and has just responded on the Trust in Widnes board with some further comments after a phone call with Richard Lewis. His post is below.


[iI have read with great interest the excellent discussion on the messageboard regarding the Celtic Crusaders issue.

As reported in this weeks Weekly News I did question Richard Lewis about Crusaders at the All Party Rugby League Group meeting in Westminister and expressed my dismay at what was happening. I also had a telephone conversation with him.

He did confirm that the RFL wanted to see a Super League club based at Wrexham and there would also be a Championship and Academy side based in South Wales. There is no doubt in my mind that the Wrexham deal will happen, although to be accurate, on Tuesday Richard did say there had been no agreement at that time.

When I questioned him on Crusaders financial plight his defence was that Widnes had plenty of financial problems themselves in the past. I said, that was before Steve O Connor and reminded him that the only Super League licence bid that included a financial bond was that submitted by Widnes. Also, Widnes did not get any help from the RFL.

Given, that I understand there are other Super League clubs also in financial difficulty, what judgement did the RFL show in turning down the bond backed Widnes bid? We should also not forget how the RFL dealt with the London Bronchos financial difficulties.

While I have received a lot of support for my public comments in the past 24 hours I did see that a couple of posts on this messegeboard did question whether it was the right thing to do. All I can say in response is that it is a matter of judgement. But do not forget like you I am also a supporter and I am appalled at what the RFL are trying to do, I do not believe it should be left unchallenged. Regardless of whether Widnes should be in the Super League or not, what is happening is plain wrong.

I do believe that the other Super League clubs could stop the RFL's plans if they wanted?


Derek Twigg MP[/i



So my Leigh friends we can expect Crusaders to remain in Super League 30 minutes from Widnes and expect another South Wales team in the championship just before 2012.

expansion by 30 miles, just Dandy wonder where they will go when that 'leg' falls off? No disrespect to Widnes fax us or anyone else but id sooner barrow or haven or Worky get in, thats real expansion.

Don't know what all the fuss is about, great news if we will have teams in the north and south of Wales all producing young welsh players.

All very well if that was to be the case mate. But they are more than likely to be from New South Wales.

Your a waste of oxygen, go away.

This Crusaders thing has gone above and beyond a joke now.
All this is to save egg on the face of the rugby football league as soon as the Crusaders go to the wall the better i can not wait to be honest this has been the biggest P**s take since Thatcher introduced poll tax.
Corruption is rife and Lewis well they put him in the stocks the guy is a prize pillock ,between him and his merry men they are killing the very game we love,personally i feel that rugby league is heading for a crash the signs are their clubs are struggling and how long this can continue i don't know its time all the clubs pulled together and put a stop to this comedy show which has been put upon us.
Oh by the way went past Salfords new ground the other day its coming on a treat the initial pegs which were hammered in for the media and Rfl benefit have now long since gone and now replaced with a wonderful playing surface.
Salford have gone for the tall grass surface with a rough nettle surface complete with a muddy lake on the spot,now thats development.

I said it a few days ago. Such is the hunger for RL in Wales, Celtic have managed to spread the game to the whole of the country in just a couple of years.

An amazing achievment in such a short space of time.

The whole of rugby league and Celtics 200 or so season ticket holders should be grateful of Leighton Samuels for what he has created.

Isn't it funny how history repeats itself, again and again and again

I don't think that's why people's backs are up. It's the fact that the RFL decides who gets to play SL and throws money at a club for the sake of expansion when there are plenty of other clubs needing a leg up just to survive further down the ladder.

Completely agree, money has been wasted instead of helping clubs in dire need of help ie Oldham, Batley etc. Our great game is a Northern regional sport i just wished the p****s at Red Hall would realise that and help clubs in the lower leagues.

Jeff

Completely agree with both of you. Why the Crusaders couldn't grow organically and become more sustainable before they were thrown into SL is beyond me.

Well done to the Widnes MP. Stroke of genius......well he will need the votes, so should help in that respect, otherwise same old.....