North Wales Crusaders have announced their first two new signings for 2014 in Craig and Karl Ashall from Championship rivals Halifax.
The brothers both have a wealth of experience playing at Championship level and they join the host of players who have already re-signed with the club on the squad list for next season.
Chief Executive Jamie Thomas said, “Clearly both players have a wealth of experience at this level and they are a major coup for the club.
“It’s great that these two are the first players that we’ve signed for next season – they both have quality.
“The recruitment side of things is continuing behind the scenes and we’ll only be looking to add further players of Karl and Craig’s quality.”
Hooker Craig Ashall, the eldest of the two brothers, said: “I’m really looking forward to it – it’ll be a good challenge for me.
“Clive and John are looking to do well next year – not just to survive in the league but to do well in it – so it should be good to be involved in.”
After two years with one of the Championship’s leading sides in Halifax, Ashall knows that Crusaders are entering a tough league, but it is one which he feels they can more than compete in.
He said, “It’s a tough league for sure; you’ve got some really good sides in there and a lot of good former Super League players who have moved down.
“I think it’s realistic for us not only to aim to survive in the league, but to do well in it and aim towards the play-offs.
“Certaily a good, tough pre-season with some real hard work will help us.
“You’ve got your Workington’s, Barrow’s, Whitehaven’s, Swinton’s, Keighley’s – and you’ll be looking to win a lot of those kind of games.
“When you play your top sides in the division, you need to look at where you are and try to test yourselves against the best.”
