fearnowt

Wales v anyone, anywhere in Wales.

Yes, there are nine hospitality boxes in the stadium.

It's been a gallant effort trying to get established in Wrexham, and there's no shame in trying for so long, but at the end of the day we have had to move on to survive. I live just one mile from Queensway, so didn't mind playing there, but anyone who's been there will tell you it's not really suitable for rugby, apart from having 800 seats facing the pitch (from some considerable distance). At least it was available to give us a base for four years and avoid folding, so it served a purpose for us. The council in Wrexham are simply not interested, especially since the takeover of the football club by the Hollywood celebrities. Hardly a day goes by without Ryan Reynolds being mentioned in the local press, often stories which are nothing to do with Wrexham. I know several lifelong Wrexham FC fans who struggle to get tickets for games because people who wouldn't give the club the time of day just 12 months ago are now suddenly season ticket holders. There's no way we would survive while all this hype is going on. We've got a great chance to grow now in a stadium which is owned by a very supportive council, and has had millions spent on it just to make it an international standard rugby venue. I'm sure most people on here would also agree that by rugby league standards, especially in League 1, two years is effectively long term planning. So in the current climate, it's about as close to a long term future as we can get.

The club have just announced a deal with Conwy County Borough Council which will see us stay at Eirias Park until at least the end of the 2023 season. Fantastic news! https://northwalescrusaders.com/2021/11/13/crusaders-to-play-in-colwyn-bay-until-at-least-the-end-of-2023/

Yes, we are staying. I was talking to one of the directors a couple of weeks ago and he said that he is taking the dugouts from Queensway, (which his company made to comply with RFL rules), and taking them to Colwyn Bay. He has also moved the "Wrexham Lager Stand" sign from the main stand at Queensway to the hospitality stand at Eirias Park, where Wrexham Lager will be extending their sponsorship of Crusaders, as well as also sponsoring the union club for their new season. He said that Conwy Council are very keen to have us there and that sponsorship opportunities are so much better than in Wrexham. The club also held the end of season awards in Colwyn Bay. Add to this the recent Wales Women, U16s & U17s games played at Eirias Park, and it looks like rugby league has found a new North Wales home.

A bit late in the day posting this, but just home from work. Ten years ago to this day, North Wales Crusaders were accepted into League 1. Considering the adversity we have faced in that time, including financial difficulties and league restructures, as well as the challenge of trying to be accepted in Wrexham, I think three trophies and one promotion is quite a respectable return for all the effort. The move to Colwyn Bay has given the club a new lease of life, and we can look forward to the future with some optimism, despite the drastic cut in central funding. It has been a huge effort from the directors, players and supporters to keep the club alive in Wrexham, but now hopefully the club can start to grow in it's new home. https://northwalescrusaders.com/2021/11/11/crusaders-celebrate-ten-year-anniversary/ Three years ago to this day, Wales defeated Ireland at the Racecourse by 40 points to 8, in front of 1,257 fans, to qualify for the 2021 RLWC. Unfortunately, this was also the last time that the Wales men's team actually played. https://rugbyleague.wales/rl-match-report?atkn=QkU3RUVDRjAtMzYzNi00Q0M3LTk0Q0EtMEE4MUI2QkJGMjM4&mid=MjQ3MDg3&tid=MTA1MzU3&optid=MTA1MzYw

Fair enough, I've known several people at work commuting to Wrexham from places like Warrington and Widnes, so it is a different challenge recruiting a squad in Cornwall compared to North Wales. Best of luck to them, hope they are still around in ten years to look back at their formation, like we can now.

Ten years ago this month, North Wales Crusaders were accepted into Championship 1, without any players. Where there's a will, there's a way. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-15898638

Congratulations on the promotion, thoroughly deserved. Best of luck to you in the Championship.

Another superb advert for League 1, well done to both teams and congratulations to Doncaster on the win. It's going to be a great final next weekend, not to be missed.

Congratulations to Anthony and Rob on their respective awards. So proud of this club right now I could burst!

Congratulations on winning club of the year. If I had to pick a club apart from my own, it would be Barrow Raiders. Very impressed with the set up there when we visited back in May. Best of luck in the Championship and hope that any restructure doesn't interfere with your progress.

Not seen the figures either, but guessing about 700ish. One thing about the playoffs is the gate money is shared between the two clubs.

Speaking to the chairman a few weeks ago after one of our home games, he said we will definitely NOT be going back to Queensway. If we do play in Wrexham again, it will be at the Racecourse, but in all honesty that would not be a viable permanent move. Perhaps an occasional game there now that Wrexham FC have more open minded owners, but it's just too expensive. Eirias Park is the home of rugby in North Wales, and I'm almost certain we will be staying there.

Don't know what was happening in the first half, but what a comeback. It's always disheartening when the opposition are scoring freely without reply, but Doncaster proved the importance of doing just that, take away any two of Donny's tries and the result could have been different. Our season might be over, but we are all pinching ourselves to make sure we are not dreaming. What a season this has been, leaving Wrexham to survive just five months ago, moving to Colwyn Bay has probably been the best decision anyone has ever made at the club, and I hope we can make it our permanent home.

Just boarded the bus back to Wrexham, fans still singing.

Setting off now across town to catch the supporters bus to the game. Donny fans will already be well on their way, and it's a long journey. Safe journey everyone, and see you all there later. If your not going to the game don't forget to tune in to Our League at 16:30, the whole game live for free.

https://northwalescrusaders.com/2021/09/03/new-deal-at-crusaders-for-alex-eckley/

I don't know about the rights and wrongs of moving to Moor Lane, probably best to leave it to Salford fans to discuss that one, although the location does look a bit limited for expansion such as extending the pitch. The ground was built by a company called Stadium Solutions. Here's the link to their website. https://www.stadiumsolutions.co.uk/

No one is underestimating Doncaster, far from it. I can understand why many people see us as favourites, we had an amazing run and finished higher in the league, and we were just one win away from finishing second. But let's not forget that Doncaster were one of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season, and it was a 68-0 defeat at home to Doncaster that triggered our winning run. We are up against a team with a playing budget several times the size of ours, and no doubt they will want to prove their worth. On the other hand, we have come from nowhere, and were second favourites to finish bottom, so I think this "favourites" tag is more to do with popularity for the underdog and a recognition for what we have achieved. Yes, we had loan players who made a difference, they came in as cover for players who were injured or self isolating. They made the most of their time here and in helping us they helped themselves, which at the end of the day is the whole idea of going out on loan. Any club can do it, and we were fortunate to get the right players with the right attitude. Whatever happens on Sunday, this will be our last game at our new home this year. It has been a fantastic year, bringing to an end five years of adversity since we left the Racecourse. To be playing in the second week of the playoffs is a massive achievement for a club said to have the second lowest playing budget in the league. We are not underestimating Doncaster, who will be given the respect that they deserve, but we have nothing to fear simply because we have already exceeded our expectations for the year. Of course we want to win, that's the whole point of playing the game, but we are going to celebrate, whatever the result.

Just announced, Cru v Doncaster, Sunday 16:30 KO. https://northwalescrusaders.com/2021/09/20/details-confirmed-for-play-off-between-crusaders-and-doncaster/

Bring it on, can't wait!

One consolation for anyone who can't go is that it's on Our League, (I wonder if that has something to do with the timing). As Gogledd has already posted elsewhere, Eirias Park is hosting the Welsh open Taekwondo on Sunday, so that might also have had an effect. I think the timing will affect the size of the crowd, especially with Wrexham playing at home, and it will be a very long journey home for the Keighley fans. It is what it is, and I'm sure it's the best (probably only) option for the club. As for the floodlights, the stadium is an international standard rugby stadium, and hosts the Wales under 20s six nations games, which are televised live on Friday nights in February/March. So I'm sure they will be good enough.

Enjoyed our visit to Barrow, despite the result. Very impressed with the setup there. Worthy winners, congratulations.

Just been announced: Cru v Keighley Saturday KO 6:30pm Donny v Hunslet Sunday KO 4pm