From the word go I have said that Celtic Crusaders should never have been awarded an SL franchise ahead of clubs like Widnes.

It was just a farce from day one and it was NEVER going to work.

The RFL seem desperate to try and expand the game outside the traditional heartlands of Rugby League in the UK.

It didnt work in London, so why did anybody think it would work in South Wales?

I have been to Bridgend. I have been to the Brewery Field. I've spoken with locals about Rugby League. Its so obvious that it would never be a success in South Wales. South Wales is a Rugby Union stronghold. Celtic Crusaders will never attract the level of support that The Scarlets or the Ospreys get. EVER.


Its irrelevent if you play your home games in Newport, Newbridge or Newquay. Rugby League will never be popular enough in South Wales to make any money. It can't be done.

The RFL seriously need to take a long hard look at themselves and their 'visions' for expanding the game. I have always said the RL in this country should look after the TRUE supporters in the heartlands rather than try and expand to an area where there is little or no chance of success.

Thank you.

Sheesh. You are two sad people and an embarrassment to rugby league.

well thought out and reasoned then eh???

Grendel - I have tried to pm you with some info you might find of interest - but can't!

Why?

For pointing out that expansion is not working???

It is for Catalans.

Before anyone starts I was very dubious about Celtic getting entry to SL and I still think Widnes should have got in, however Celtic are here for the next few years and people need to get over it.

Widnes are doing very nicely and look very likely to get a franchise next time around and if Celtic haven't improved things by then, fair enough.

If we replace anyone it wont be celtic. It will be one of you, salford or cas.

Catalans have made a good go of it for sure.

London and Celtic haven't though.


The sad thing is unless one of them goes bust it's unlikely they will not get another franchise.

The RFL is too one eyed when it comes to 'expansion'

Maybe so. Not disputing that either, I am certainly not arrogant to think we will be out of it then either, lots depend on the ground situation.

No. For harping on and on and on about the same subject like boring old farts. You're embarrassing.

I hope Celtic take off big time next season and ensure that by the time some team from the lower division makes it up here they can tonk them on a regular basis. What sweet revenge that would be for all their supporters!

No, I don't need to get over it! I have no intention of doing so! But Celtic will improve next year - I am now confident of it. Enough to attract the Newport public ??? We'll see!!




I just love this. Coming from a fan of a club that has no chance of seeing his team excluded from SL!!!! Your understanding knows no bounds owd cock!!!

I have no real axe to grind against the crusaders. the RFL yes, but not really the crusaders. But I will hold the RFL to account if their experiment fails badly - but for timely intervention may well have done!! I hear with some reliability that they will improve greatly on this years performances, more so than will Salford or Wakey - the latter I hear are in some dubious financial place at the mo -allegedly! New ground???? Aye, and I'm the image of Johnny Depp!!

It won't happen.

I would like to see them succeed.

But It wont happen. Everyone knows it.


Celtics best hope is to survive for as long as they can whilst changing names a few times and changing venues between various places in Wales until they get bailed out by the Superleague.

Ring any bells London????

Well stop whinging then and if you can't get behind the team, get behind the idea of rugby league spreading rather than dying.

Again - No!!! I shall continue to "whinge" as long as the unfairness that the removal of P+R presents! And I have no real objection to expanding the game - but done in a timely well researched manner - not the half @rsed way it was managed in Wales. I'm not against the concept of a welsh team - just not when or how they were included in SL and definately not at the expense of my club or any other NL club. If Saints were removed from SL and told no more of it for you, you may well approach the game differently.
It still causes a deal of resentment towards the RFL!

I accept that the CC fans would have preferred it to be different too, and has been stated so many times.

I know as far as can be reasonably certtain, Celtic will now grow much stronger next season - and fair do's to them. It doesn't affect my life either way. The fact that if Fev won the GF in Sept won't be promoted if they were ready for SL, is part of my life. The fact they aren't is another long drawn out load of cobblers that I can't really be @rsed with!

Problems with Celtic - No! Please don't mis-represent that!

Well whinge to the people who make the bloody decisions then instead of ruining the Celtic board on here with your whining ways! You and those like you are soooo embarrassing.

This is a board owned by RLFans - not the celtic club. and I'll debate the points I have with anyone I like - I do not need your permission. I post within the rules. No-one makes you reply to anything I say.
If you find them irritating or SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO embarrassing (how american, how teenage like, but ne'er mind) - don't engage!!!! It's easy owd cock!

What utter tosh,so teams that have been in our sport for years can go to the wall the likes of doncaster,rochdale.Yeah our sport is really kicking on.

Idiot begone from this place and return to your village, we've had enough of your nonsense!

Im interested to know why when people go on about expansion that it is always the same suspects..... WIDNES. Why not Whitehaven or Sheffield? They have just as much a right to be up there in the decision making process.

Im all for respecting history and I know the club has achieved alot over its 100+ year history, but guess what we haven't done two badly for our 3 years so far either.

If the fans of Widnes really think at the current juncture they would be able to perform much better, in the last two seasons in Super League they only avoided finishing bottom by the skin of their teeth with a side arguably more talented then our own today.

Im sure if you started up a professional RL team in Liverpool or Lyme Regis they would have similar problems to us as well .It is far too early to write us off we are just finding our feet.

Also what makes you think that we could not match attendences of the Scarlets and the Ospreys? Both teams currently get VERY POOR attendences considering both have new stadiums and one is the self styled 'glamour boys' of Welsh rugby, neither average anywhere near 10,000 fans. We only get a few thousand less than what these long established sides get now ( established in terms of tradition , not the regions obviously , as they've only existed for 6 years.)

I agree it is poor that the likes of Doncaster and Rochdale are not getting the help they really need at the moment, they probably need more help than we do .I hope they get it.The head of our supporters club is a born and bred 'Donny boy and it was great to see them get promotion at the Grand Final last year.

I don't deny the RFL should be looking after the 'heartland' clubs just as much as the outposts like ourselves, a balance needs to be struck. I believe the game will only get stronger and make England and Wales as well as GB Lions at the international stage stronger.


The game is still seen to many as a 'northern' flatcapper type sport.
To me in the modern age that seems to be a certain shortsightedness that we are starting to break down here. There are many many kids taking the game on and below the first team squad our youth are top across the board , with many not actually playing RL before this season.

I look forward in a few years to watching a Wales RL side made up of local born and bred players ,preferably playing for us or other Super League sides trouncing England at a packed modern stadium either here ,Bridgend ,Swansea or whatever.

We might never be huge but tin comparison to to the local football sides of RU sides like Cardiff Blues or the Ospreys but I'm very confident we can hold our own.We just need to sort out a permanent base and start building up. It will come in time.

As for Widnes , they seem to have the complete package ,stadium,team,success,history,but we can't live in the past. Are you confident you could get crowds much largetr in super league than you already do ???

Best of Luck to you all anyway, the Championship is still a great competitve league to play in anyway.

Hey don't get all stressed because you know I'm right!

yawn. Do WUMS ever get bored of the sound of thier own voices?

You do know there was 1 comment by a Widnes fan on this thread yes? So why harp on about Widnes when it's a Fev and Cronulla fan making the noise?

Think since winning the NRC, Widnes are fairly happy to just keep monentum up! Yes they'll be the odd noise of resentment of course there will, but on the whole it's quitening down as we wait for our next chance!

i'm not gettings stressed and your not right. your a narrow minded fool, who has nothing better to do in their life then troll a forum. might i prescribe you get laid!

jannerboy, i realise this advice wasn't for me, but think twice about my blood pressure when making such prescriptions won't you. I'm not sure my ticker is up to such activity these days!
It's bad enough watchin fev!