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Hi guys, for those of you arriving early tomorrow, I think you should know that the fanzone marquee is not open this year. There is an outdoor bar at the ground selling cans at £5 a can, with the usual hot dogs and burgers, but all the facilities are outdoors. There is a pub called The Park which is standing in for the fanzone. From the stadium car park, go to the main road which runs past the ground and turn right, the Park is about 10 mins walk on the opposite side of the road. The supporters bus from Wrexham will be dropping off at the Park before the game, and you will of course be very welcome to join us. Always a close game between Cru and Town, and I'm sure tomorrow will be no different. Have a safe journey and all the best for the rest of the season.

It was Gateshead Thunder's first visit to the Racecourse in 2012 when Kev and Jim introduced themselves by singing and chanting continuously from the kick off for about half an hour, while we all listened. When they stopped, the 1,000 or so Cru fans just burst into applause, and at the end of the game every Thunder player shook their hands. It was one of those unforgettable moments that helped to convince me that this is a sport worth watching. While I didn't get to know him personally, he will be fondly remembered. Thoughts and best wishes go family and friends. RIP

Half time Cru 6 Canes 4

To be fair, I don't think there was much more of a crowd Keighley today, but we're all struggling in a league that is largely out of sight and out of mind to the powers that be. Our owners have stated that they want the club to break even, although that will obviously take several years. They have also said that the key to achieving break even is to be playing on our own ground, but whether or not that can happen is up to the owners. We can't say any more than that because they haven't said any more. We live in hope.

One to tick off the bucket list, finally get to see us come away from Cougar Park with a win. Until we scored three tries in the last ten minutes, the game could have gone either way, so quite relieved in the end.

It's been a long wait, but at long last, I can make use of my season ticket. Just looking forward to the game.

If you're a Crusaders fan or interested in what's happening at the club and you have an hour to spare, this weeks podcast is worth listening to. As well as the usual chat with Carl Forster, there is an interview with the club chairman Bobby Watkins. It is interesting to hear what his plans are for the club, including the desire to find (or build) a permanent home ground in North Wales. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2B3K8QFP3l07yPtMtBxcO6

Crucast. Presented by Conrad Anderson and Tony Rogers, the weekly programme on Spotify features interviews with personalities from the club and is well worth listening to. https://open.spotify.com/show/5x5JxlKNzhOH1rQFiEsprg CRU TV Video highlights of games and post match interviews, link copied from the club website. https://www.youtube.com/@NWCrusaders North Wales Crusaders on Blue Sky This has taken the place of the club's X (twitter) account. Especially useful for those of us without social media accounts as you don't have to log on to read the posts. https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:akcd6oupjgshu2vr5sp5ed4a The club website. https://nwcrusadersrl.com/

North Wales Crusaders CruCastRL. I would have posted this link last week, but they took a week off. Presented by two passionate rugby league fans Conrad Anderson and Tony Rogers, all voluntary in their own time. https://open.spotify.com/show/5x5JxlKNzhOH1rQFiEsprg

This is more like it from Crusaders. Limited edition supporters St David shirt which would have made a nice home team shirt. Ironically, St David's day was four days ago, and once the pre-orders are in and the shirt goes into production, delivery is expected around.... St George's day. https://nwcrusadersrl.com/limited-edition-fundraising-shirt-released/

Honest appraisal from Cru coach Carl Forster after the game

Highlights of Goole V North Wales, unfortunately seems to be without sound. North Wales in Orange

Heard from Crusaders general manager the attendance was somewhere between 1,350 and 1,400 but he didn't have the exact figure. This will be a new ground record for rugby league, beating last year's 1,088 in the 1895 cup, when Widnes were also the visitors. Everyone went home happy today. For us it was all about the performance of the team and we are now really looking forward to the League 1 campaign. Best of luck to you in the next round and for the Championship season ahead.

Live score updates available on Flashscore: https://www.flashscore.co.uk/rugby-league/

Full time Cornwall 0 North Wales 52

Half time Cornwall 0 North Wales 14

A gallant effort, but sounds like it was just a bit too complicated to organise at such short notice. https://nwcrusadersrl.com/statement-london/

Six. Chester RFC, Halton Stadium Widnes, Wilderspool, Victoria Park Warrington, Caldey RFC and now Robin Park. Six in North Wales. The Racecourse, Queensway, The Rock. Eirias Park, Llanrwst RFC, Rhyl RFC. If only we could find the money to build number 13 and become home owners.

And another venue for home games to add to the collection, I make this the 12th.

Venue change https://nwcrusadersrl.com/venue-change-london-broncos/

Think the game might be in doubt with the big water outage in the area. Colwyn Bay FC have a home game tonight which apparently is going ahead, but Eirias Park is being used as an emergency water distribution centre. The club have just released an update: Following ongoing water outages in North Wales, the club is currently working with all parties concerned regarding tomorrow's pre-season fixture against London Broncos, a full update shall be released shortly once arrangements have been finalised. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4882nj01no

The club have just announced a 9s tournament for 13th July, the day when Dewsbury are the visitors to Colwyn Bay. https://nwcrusadersrl.com/north-wales-nines-launched/

Merry Christmas from North Wales. Nadolig Llawen!

The red/white is the away shirt. We've had various colours for away shirts over the years, we've had red, pink, different shades of green, and for the last couple of seasons white. Home shirts we've had black, black/yellow, red, red/green. We've never played in blue before, I like navy blue as a colour but can only assume it is the new owners choice.