FORMER North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster believes no one could have envisaged the Colwyn Bay club’s strife over the past few months.
The Crusaders were put in dire financial straits following the withdrawal of previous owner sports goods retailer EggChaser, run by father-and-son duo Bobby and Arun Watkins.
After a month of uncertainty caused by their decision to pull funding, the Rugby Football League granted the club’s playing licence to a new company, NW Rugby League 26 Limited, led by former owner Jamie El-Kaleh, on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
And Forster, who led them to the League One title last season with 14 wins from 18 games before departing to become assistant coach at Bradford Bulls, says the situation took everyone by surprise.
“You certainly couldn’t envisage what happened in the last few months – I don’t think anyone could have,” Forster said.
“I think every Championship team has its struggles in today’s world but I thought we were in a really good spot.
“We had just won the League One competition and we had prepared a team to compete in the Championship.
“That’s what made my decision so difficult coming here because we had done such good work there.
“I’ve kept in touch with the lads there but no one really at the top.
“Hopefully they can get back up on their feet and rebuild the club because rugby league in Wales has a lot to offer.”