FORMER North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster believes no one could have envisaged what has happened at the Welsh club over the past few months.
The Crusaders have been 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 the decision of the previous owners to pull funding, the Rugby Football League have granted an interim licence to former owner Jamie Elkaleh and a new company, NW Rugby League 26 Limited.
And Forster believes that the entire situation has taken 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.”