By JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: North Wales Crusaders will explore any option possible, including taking the RFL to court, after their bid to compete in the Championship next year broke down.
Earlier today, the RFL released a statement claiming that the Crusaders have “withdrawn from the process of securing club membership for the 2027 season”.
The statement goes on to say: “Any future participation was conditional on a comprehensive business plan being approved by the governing body before being admitted for the 2027 fixture list. Unfortunately, North Wales have, so far, been unable to satisfy all of the RFL Board’s requests for next year.”
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands the RFL sought an escrow amount of £150,000 from the new owners of North Wales, who took over the club in May after the previous owners ran it into the ground.
The Crusaders agreed to the escrow amount, although other clubs in similar situations such as Featherstone Rovers, Halifax Panthers and Salford RLFC, have not been asked to follow a similar practice.
However, talks between the RFL and the club have broken down over the handling of the escrow and the measurement of North Wales’ business plan.
Club executives have grown frustrated with delays by the governing body, over many months and pulled out of the license process at the final hurdle.
The Crusaders had already secured sponsors, a new CEO, a new head coach, a stadium facility and other necessary requirements to field a strong side in the Championship in 2027. They believe they have done everything the RFL has asked of them.
Chairman Jamie Elkaleh told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads: “We entered the process in total good faith. I took the challenge up in May this year on the understanding that the RFL would fully support me to ensure we could build a sustainable club.
“When I came in there was never any indication about this form of requirement [the escrow] at the time. If there was, I would never have jumped into the seat, because I fundamentally disagree that a governing body should hold funds.
“This escrow is not a traditional escrow; an escrow should be in an independent account. The RFL are asking for the escrow to be in their account. I don’t like this; I don’t trust this, but I reluctantly agreed to it.
“They asked me to show proof of funds, I have shown 350% more than what they actually wanted to see. Now their biggest issue is they want to hold the money.
“I fundamentally disagree with this, but I have put that to one side and I have aligned with it.
“The only issue we have now is the way in which they measure our business plan. I don’t agree with the figures.
We’ve submitted written contracts from sponsors and I believe this should be deducted from the overall amount received.
“I have requested meetings with the executive board several times to present our plans and have not had a response once.”
North Wales have employed a lawyer and have been receiving legal advice for several weeks.
At this stage there will be no Welsh professional rugby league presence left in the UK.
“We are going to challenge this at every instance,” Elkaleh insisted.
“We are going to escalate significantly. If they really want a Welsh club, we’re here, we’ve got the money and we need to get on with it.”
