Saders set to confirm controversial Newport switch

The Celtic Crusaders are set to confirm a controversial switch to Newport for 2010. Chief Executive Mike Turner has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with the Gwent Dragons and a contract for a groundshare at Rodney Parade is set to be signed.

Turner has confirmed that the club have entered negotiations with the Newport Gwent Dragons, the Welsh rugby union regional outfit, about a groundshare of their Rodney Parade home. A contract is being worked on and the Saders chief executive is confident that the deal will be done within the next week.

Reports emerged several weeks ago regarding a potential move to Newport. The club had already announced that the Super League clash against the Leeds Rhinos would be switched to Wales' third city - and the arrival of Newport chief Dai Watkins as president helped to fuel speculation. It also didn't take a genius to notice that the club have been using Newport RFC's ticketing machine in recent weeks.

The Saders have struggled to attract big enough crowds to the Brewery Field in Bridgend, despite large numbers of travelling fans from some of the sport's biggest clubs. The club are also under pressure to move away from their first home ahead of the next license applications in 2011.

The club still hope to move to a new stadium in Bridgend in the long-term. However, if the Island Farm project does collapse, the planned redevelopments to Rodney Parade would leave the Saders with an amply sufficient stadium for Super League. Reports have also emerged that the club may also be exploring the possibility of building a ground at a site near Brackla.

The move, of course, has caused controversy amongst supporters. Bridgend-based supporters will be disappointed to again see top-flight sport taken away from the town; whilst long-term supporters will cherish many memories from the club's four-year stint at the Brewery. 1,021 watched Cru's first ever home fixture - a 78-14 thumping of the London Skolars in the Northern Rail Cup.

Rodney Parade, opened in 1877, currently has a capacity of 10,000 and is thus slightly larger than the Brewery Field. Plans, however, are afoot to redevelop the ground and turn it into a 15,000-capacity ground with 13,000 seats. The stadium currently plays hosts to the Dragons and Welsh Premier outfit Newport RFC.

Meanwhile, the club continue to explore the possibility of taking games on the road next season. A fixture, potentially against Warrington, will be taken north to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground; whilst the club may also take one fixture back to the Brewery next season. The Cardiff Arms Park, the newly-opened Cardiff City Stadium and Parc-Y-Scarlets have also been mooted as other potential venues for John Dixon's men.

What do you make of the move? Should the club stick to its roots; or is this an essential move? Will it really only be a short-term switch? Join in the discussion on the messageboard, or post a comment below.