CHAIRMAN Jamie El-Kaleh says he strongly believes North Wales Crusaders are in the “final stages” of securing a Rugby Football League licence to compete in the Championship next season.
The second-tier basement club’s bold plans for future progression – which include improving results under incoming new coach Stuart Simmons, becoming Wales Crusaders and playing matches in Bridgend in the south (at a stadium they will part own) as well as at Colwyn Bay on the north coast – are dependent on getting the green light from the governing body.
Both the club and RFL have been silent in recent weeks, sparking fears that the Crusaders could follow the path of West Wales Raiders, who folded following the 2022 season.
However in an update to supporters, El-Kaleh, who led the group who kept the club afloat following an insolvency event under the previous ownership in May, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been pushing hard with the RFL to try to secure a licence.
“We have said yes to everything asked of us and I strongly believes we are in the final stages of that process.
“We are just waiting for legal clarifications, then we can move forward in ensuring Rugby League stays in Wales.
“I’d like to thank supporters for keeping on believing in what we are trying to do.”
Last year’s League One champions are keen to move on following a traumatic campaign.
The licence given by the RFL on the club’s relaunch under El-Kaleh was for this year only, with its continuation depending on the presentation of a “comprehensive business plan”.
The Crusaders returned with a deduction of twelve league points and having lost the bulk of their players after they became free agents due to the insolvency, were forced to work under a sustainability player cap.
A makeshift squad struggled on the pitch, with all 14 games under the current owners ending in defeat, many of them heavy.
The club plan to play “four or five” games at the Electric Brewery Field in Bridgend next year as well as running a development team based in the south of Wales.