NORTH WALES CRUSADERS have not given up hope of being in the Championship next season after resuming their application for a licence.
Despite months of negotiations coming to an apparent end when North Wales withdrew their bid on Wednesday, dialogue has since restarted with the Rugby Football League.
Chairman Jamie El-Kaleh met with RFL chief executive Ian Nolan on Friday and has offered to forgo central distribution funding next season if granted a place.
The Crusaders were only granted a temporary licence to finish the season after being relaunched in May following insolvency under a previous ownership.
The RFL said at the time that certain criteria would need to be met in order for full membership to be granted.
El-Kaleh, who has announced plans to rebrand the club as Wales Crusaders, play some matches in Bridgend alongside their Colwyn Bay home and create a country-wide development pathway, became increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress.
He said Crusaders had demonstrated their financial viability, with the help of investment from the leading sportswear brand Hummel, but took issue with the demand for funds to be placed in an escrow and the terms.
“We’ve demonstrated the funds, over three-and-a-half times the value of what was requested, however that wasn’t satisfactory,” said El-Kaleh on Wednesday.
“I entered this process in good faith, wanting to build something, and I believe we created a solid case. Unfortunately the governing body didn’t buy into that vision and support it.”
The RFL in turn said North Wales had been “unable to satisfy” their requests.
“In this instance, our primary duty is to staff and players to ensure North Wales could sustain the full season, both in being able to pay them and creditors as well as the ability to fulfil fixtures,” said Nolan.
“After careful consideration and due diligence, the RFL Board felt an escrow account would help ensure that happens.
“Unfortunately, despite the parties attempting to find an acceptable and independent way of facilitating the escrow, the club was unwilling to agree to any proposed suggestion or deposit the funds.”
However, Crusaders have now agreed to use an escrow, and have submitted an updated business plan in the hope of reaching agreement with the RFL.
“We are still applying for a license for 2027, and we’ve adapted our strategy and business plan for 2027 accordingly,” said El-Kaleh.
“The plan is to remain in North Wales with the first team, if the license comes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have South Wales plans, with the hybrid model implemented from 2028.
“We’ll scale down operations in 2027 to ensure the RFL are happy with what we are proposing.”
