gogledd

You mean in addition to North Wales Crusaders who have, of course, played in the Challenge Cup competition for the last 14 years. Excellent report @welshmagpie. Glad to hear there was a decent turnout and that the Fighting Irish gave Blackbrook a decent game.

We visited Blaydon for our away fixture when we played Thunder last season. It was a very hot day so no issues - apart from a few red faces that came without sunscream! I could imagine it wouldn't be much fun in really poor weather as there's no cover apart from the stand....and its already been said the main clubhouse is quite a way from the pitch. Re: League 1 clubs using RU facilities - many have no other choice and Crusaders have benefitted by ground share... our current stadium, while owned by Conwy County Council has been used by and developed by the Welsh RU and the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru team and has facilities that are top quality compared to some other grounds. We've also played at Chester RUFC , Rhyl, RUFC, Nant Conwy RUFC and Caldy RUFC grounds when our pitch was being redeveloped. Our experience has been positive in the main, but there have been occasions where games have been rescheduled due to the demands of the WRU.

I was just about to post this, but @JonM beat me to it.....seems current conditions in Widnes are for ice to remain for the next couple of days and the pitch to be unplayable.

Very true. My thoughts were more with the TV production team setting up in the best (or probably most convenient) place for them. Other posters were suggesting moving the camera point - that's probably dictated by the proximity to the production unit, rather than consideration for getting a shot of the crowd - after all they're there to film the game not the audience!

I watch League 1 games so big crowds are never really a consideration! But thinking about the logistics for a TV company they're going to set up in the stand nearest to the location of the rigs in the car park - less work to set up, shorter cable runs, less effort required by riggers and other staff etc....so is it up to the clubs to sell out the stand opposite as a first option and then fill the other stands as sales increase?

A shame North Wales Crusaders have decided not to enter at Super League level again. Perhaps the teams feel they need another year out for development but from what I saw of them last season I think they could compete in a tournament with 6 teams. I'm sure they'll do well in the Championship and the development leagues though; it's just a shame they get very little coverage at that level. IMHO Wales need a team back in Super League or we'll fall behind at international level - going into RLWC2021 Wales were 3rd in the world; we now look like falling behind Ireland and perhaps Scotland in the near future if development and competitive game time isn't available for our international players.

Thanks for the heads up! I've refreshed mine now

We've tried Saturday games...sometimes it works (vs Oldham last season for example) and sometimes it makes very little difference. Most people I speak to tend to prefer Sunday games but I accept thats not a scientific sample!

One of the young players from Wrexham has a contract...but hes not come through any North Wales clubs. Ralf Roberts has always played his rugby league in the North West of England and has always been a league player and has no RU connections....hes been a Crusaders fan since he was very young!

Cardiff Blue Dragons? Not city centre but not that far out of the city.

There were teams at Bangor Buffaloes, Clwyd Cobras, Conwy Celts, Mon Knights, Flintshire Falcons, Rhyl and Prestatyn (Panthers?) and Wrexham Crusaders who all fed into the North Wales Origin regional side but I'm not sure how many are still active. North Wales Buccaneers have increased player numbers at Masters RL level and North Wales Crusaders still have two squads playing Wheelchair RL and the womens team completed their second season in 2024. https://www.northwalesrl.com/

A lot of fans are asking the same thing! The St. Davids flag is a gold cross on a black background, and North Wales Crusaders have more often based their kit on the St..Davids flag (see the club badge) or the Draig Goch..no idea where the blue kit came from but it will be a question the new owners will be faced with as its Eggchaser who are supplying the new kit which they've designed. Personally, its not one of my favourite Crusaders kits but I'll wait to see it in real life before deciding whether to buy.

We are STILL North WALES Crusaders despite the buy out by a company from Surrey! North Wales Cru are also playing Widnes on 10th January with an evening kick off.

My worries too. The one hope is that the new owner gets to see that Rugby League is a tremendous sport. Hes a young entrepreneur and probably doesn't view the differences between union and league in the same way we do. Lets hope he can bring his business experience to our benefit anyway. As you say....only time will tell...

Do the figures include Wheelchair RL, juniors, minis and Masters RL? There are mens teams playing in North Wales too.