Three SL games in Wrexham would be lunacy for Saders

The Celtic Crusaders could play as many as three games on the road at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground next season. Whilst club officials think the RL message should be spread across Wales, this move places the Saders’ stability in doubt and seems a badly timed announcement with season tickets set to go on sale to the general public.

The club revealed many months ago that it planned to take a Super League game to North Wales.

Wrexham AFC has reportedly been extremely keen to get the Crusaders to play matches at their Racecourse home. Many felt that the clash with Warrington would be the one switched due to the close proximity of Wolves fans to North Wales.

The news split the club's fans - but chief executive Mike Turner emphasised the importance of attracting support from across Wales and stated how a one-off fixture in Wrexham would provide the basis for a "festival of rugby league" in the North Walian town.

However, BBC reports suggest that the club may play up to three Super League games at the Racecourse next season. If true, this seems a very foolish idea and the news comes out at a dangerous time with Cru set to launch season ticket sales to the general public on Saturday.

The club are trying to get fans to part with their hard-earned cash for season tickets - and are yet to confirm where all next season's home games will be played. Rodney Parade is the club's official home venue - but Saders officials had already announced that the club would play at as many as three other venues next season. The Racecourse was expected to house one game, the Brewery Field another, and a ground in either Cardiff or West Wales to stage a third.

If the club were to now play three games at the Racecourse next season, fans could see as many as five of the 13 Super League home games played away from Newport. That is nonsense and dangerous for the future of the club.

Fans cannot be expected to travel all over Wales every other week as the Crusaders take the game of rugby league to a host of venues. It didn't work for South Wales RLFC in the mid-90s and it almost certainly won't work now.

Following the proposed name change, the less-than-popular new badge and overly expensive ‘walk-up' ticket prices for next season, this news of a bizarre, drawn-out tour of the Principality marks the club's latest move which could be set to alienate long-term, loyal supporters.

The fans need clarity of the exact direction the club is going in after a campaign shrouded in turmoil both on and off the field. Initial reports claimed the Rodney Parade deal was for ten games. The club must confirm this - and announce where any other games will be played, and the venue of any Challenge Cup and friendly games. Season ticket sales are almost certain to suffer otherwise.