NORTH WALES CRUSADERS have informed the RFL that they will forfeit their first-round 1895 Cup fixture against Midlands Hurricanes.
There are major concerns about the future of the Colwyn Bay-based Championship outfit after owners Egg Chaser, a Surrey-based company who specialise in rugby union merchandise and sevens coaching, announced they would “no longer fund the additional costs to run the club”.
The RFL awarded the tie, which should have taken place on Saturday at Stadiwm Eirias, to Midlands by a 48-0 score in line with their Operational Rules.
After informing the RFL they would not be playing the match, the Crusaders, who were last year’s League One champions, said in a statement: “After consulting with Midlands Hurricanes, and considering our focus on stabilising things for the playing group and management team, we have agreed not to play the 1895 Cup fixture.
“This we believe this will provide sufficient breathing space to be ready for the next league fixture.”
That is away to Doncaster on Friday, May 1.
Two of the club’s supporters are understood to have contributed funds to help pay the most recent wage bill and ensure last Sunday’s Championship game at Keighley Cougars went ahead.
In a statement released last Thursday, the club said they must “alter their business plan” in order for their position to be tenable, raising questions over their short- and long-term future.
It said: “Due to a change in circumstances, the owners of the North Wales Crusaders have concluded that they will no longer fund the additional costs to run the club with immediate effect.
“Initially involved at the back end of 2024, the owners cleared a lot of historical issues and debts, and invested in a squad to win League One.
“The current situation with regard to costs and competitive league set-up isn’t tenable for the owners and an adjustment to the business plan is needed.
“The shareholders have been working in the background to identify suitable partners who may provide a combination of values that would be ideal to give North Wales Crusaders an opportunity to thrive, making the move of the talent, location and facilities.
“As yet we do not have an agreement in place, so we want to make public that we are looking for a new majority shareholder, someone with the passion for the project in North Wales that we have.
“We recognise that this will create uncertainty and would ask at this point for all North Wales-invested supporters to get behind the club, staff and players.”