Would be ridiculous to apply a points deduction. Unlike Crusaders mk2, Whitehaven, Widnes, Wakefield, Keighley, Blackpool, Gateshead (& probably more that I've forgotten about), Crusaders mk3 have effectively been demoted _two_ divisions. The other clubs all had administration-like events without a corresponding relegation.

Gateshead were demoted admittedly only 1 division but they were demoted

I guess the distinction I'm making is they were demoted on playing results and subsequently went bust; they didn't get demoted directly as as result of going bust. Effectively the RFL has said - because you didn't pay off your creditors, you have to start again at the bottom. If they'd started in the championship, then a points deduction would arguably have been fair.

Gateshead weren't demoted on playing results as they finished outside a relegation place. They were demoted (from CC to CC1) because of the financial mess they had got themselves into.

Indeed. Gateshead finished 7th in 2009, above Batley, Leigh, Toulouse and Doncaster.

The RFL have stated Crusaders are to start in C1 as their membership has lapsed. Surely a new club with new owners and denied a place in the Championship is enough of a 'penalty'?

It wasn't for Gateshead they also got a 6 point deduction

Trust a Leigh fan to remember who finished where that season





In that case, you're right - maybe Crusaders should get a triple punishment - two relegations & a points deduction. Still seems unduly harsh.

As I said in my previous post I am struggling to differentiate between Crusaders position and Whitehaven's position. Crusaders were in SL and could not financially carry on at that level so withdrew their application. The owners could not or would not pay the debts that had accumulated so they liquidated the club. A new company was then formed to revive Crusaders as a new club and they had to apply to the RFL for membership to the RFL. They have now been accepted in to the RFL and told they will have to start again in Championship 1.



On the other hand Whitehaven were a Championship team with financial difficulties and they were relegated to Championship 1 at the end of last season. They took the decision to go in to administration and dissolve the club but instantly formed a new club and applied for membership to the RFL. This was granted and they had to start in Championship 1 BUT they were also given a 9 point penalty.



I know Crusaders had a points penalty whilst in SL but, as someone else has said, that was from last years misdemeanours not their current financial problems, so where is the difference? It is these sort of discrepancies in the way the RFL operate that get peoples backs up.

In fact Crusaders are not yet in Championship 1. The fans and backers have still to decide whether they want to apply for Championship 1 and then that bid has to be accepted by the RFL.



Discussions of points deductions etc. are a bit premature.



Be a crying shame if it turns out there's no team at all, so just hold your horses and let's see what happens.

But the thing is, do Crusaders currently HAVE on going financial problems? Yes, they had trouble every off season in SL, but that was more down to them trying to run before they could walk and their chairman promising the RFL the moon on a stick.

If they go into administration AGAIN, then yes they should start next season with a points deduction. But if not, then it's unfair to hobble them.



Personally, I'm hoping to see the Crusaders, or another Welsh club, back in SL one day just as Catalans came into SL. I just hope they can do it properly, build up a strong following and help push RL towards being a national rather than a regional sport.

The previous 2 owners who weren't prepared to back the club anymore and withdrew the SL application in July liquidated the club last Tuesday which is why the RFL rejected the Championship bid and any new club that is formed will have to start again in Championship 1.