1 reply to this topic

[doddj1]

WIDNES Vikings are on Super League red alert as a second financial crisis inside 12 months hangs over Wrexham-based Crusaders.

The Welsh nomads will apply to go into administration today in an attempt to ward off a winding up order by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs which is due to be heard next week.

This would result in a yet another new company taking over the club and may allow a team to join the 2011 campaign at the Racecourse Ground, albeit starting the competition with a six-point penalty.

The points loss seems the least of the Crusaders problems.

The main issue will be if its financial backers are minded to settle all debts relating to rugby matters – including unpaid pension contributions to former players and monies owed to former coaching staff and consultants – which is reported to be one of the Rugby Football League’s stipulations.

If they fail to agree to these stringent conditions the RFL could pitch them out of the competition and discussions have already taken place with all member clubs – and those that have qualified to apply for a Super League license for 2012 – as to what options are open to the governing body if the Welsh outfit fails to comply.

Even if the RFL gives the club the go-ahead to compete next year its future after that remains uncertain.

The league has stated that one club will be relegated at the end of 2011 to be replaced by a team from the National League in 2012 and Widnes are believed to be in a very strong position to fill that berth.

But, as this is the second time in a year that the Welsh outfit has hit financial problems, the RFL would be bound to face a legal challenge should they try to relegate another club such as Wakefield, Castleford or Salford.

The Vikings are monitoring the situation very closely, Steve O’Connor, Vikings owner, told the Liverpool Daily Post.

He said: “We are obviously monitoring things but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves. We have a bid to submit and that is all we are focussed on.

“It would be wrong of me to comment on what any other club is going through.”

However, current member clubs are believed to be in favour of a Widnes return to Super League and if the Vikings have made the club’s position known to the RFL and, ironically, given the Crusaders relative on-field success in 2010 after its 11th hour move from Bridgend to Wrexham, there is nothing to suggest such a move would be a failure.

Halton MP Derek Twigg, who spoke strongly against the Welsh outfit up rooting from its base in South Wales to North Wales in Wrexham and indeed its Super League inclusion in 2008 over his constituency team, is another breathing down the necks of the RFL.

The Vikings were denied a Super League licence at the Crusaders expense in 2008, the RFL using the club’s entrance into administration the previous year as the justification.

Should Crusaders be given yet another lifeline and remain in the competition Mr Twigg will no doubt be flexing his political muscles yet again.Š

[TOON]

Yep ! , let them go, bad idea, is it time for a scotish team (lol) . Yes lets push widnes up, they are the darlings of it all, never mind that on the field they are going backwards, ###### the rest who had won anything last year . I must explain that I know that I always snipe at widnes , buy honestly I do not have any deep seated dislike of them ! .I can not understand why the rugby league world believes that they are owed any favors and are any better then others ? .