Six Crusaders are to be deported

Dmac · 08-18-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Six Crusaders are to be deported

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Six Celtic Crusaders players are to be deported after immigration officials ruled they breached visa regulations, BBC Sport Wales can reveal.

The UK Border Agency says visas used to bring the Australians to the Bridgend-based Super League side were invalid.

Captain Jace van Dijk, top try-scorer Tony Duggan and star player Damien Quinn are among the banished players.

The Crusaders said they had co-operated with the UK Border Agency and would abide by its ruling.

A UK Border Agency statement read: "As the result of an intelligence-led investigation into possible immigration offences among players at Celtic Crusaders, we can confirm that six Australian nationals have been served with papers confirming that they are illegally present in the UK.

"We now expect these individuals to leave the country. If they refuse to do so voluntarily, we will enforce their removal.

"The players are prohibited from working in the UK with immediate effect."

The six players are Darren Mapp, Mark Dalle Cort, Josh Hannay, van Dijk, Duggan and Quinn, who have been told they can no longer play for the Crusaders.

Well they are so fucking screwed, I feel so sorry for the club, they weren't doing brilliantly with these players, without them they might as well not even go onto the pitch.

The Phantom · 08-20-2009, 10:33 AM

Yeah, this is a bit of a disaster.

It wouldn't surprise me if the franchise folded within the next 12 months. How long is their super league licence for? Is it 3 years?

I've said it from the start, they need to be based out of Cardiff for them to be a success. They are moving from Bridgend to Newport next season, which is a step in the right direction, but a move to Cardiff would be of huge benefit for them.

The Arms Park is empty for most of the year, and would be an ideal ground for them. It has the name and history behind it. Also Cardiff is an easier place to get to. More people from the Valleys would be able to attend games if they wished to. Also there are plenty of hotels for away fans to stay at.

They need to market the team better. There are hardly any marketing initiatives around for the franchise. I guarantee if they played out of Cardiff there would be more public interest, and images of Crusaders players would be on buses and billboards all around the city.

Dmac · 08-20-2009, 10:44 AM

Well I'm not sure how familiar you are with the sport but it was a controversial choice to pick Celtic in the first place, everyone was almost certain that they would pick Widnes Vikings for the 2nd spot after Salford and now the Widnes fans are pushing for the franchise to be revoked and for them to come into the league a year early. I personally just see Widnes fans as moaners but tbh with the team that Celtic have been left with now, unless they can steal away some Union talent, they might as well do just that allow Widnes into the league.

As for the whole having to be in Cardiff to be successful, I'm not sure, because I mean starting up a team like that is never going to be succesful immediately, if this whole shit hadn't happened then next season and even the season after I'm sure we would see vast improvement in support.

The Phantom · 08-20-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmac
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Well I'm not sure how familiar you are with the sport but it was a controversial choice to pick Celtic in the first place, everyone was almost certain that they would pick Widnes Vikings for the 2nd spot after Salford and now the Widnes fans are pushing for the franchise to be revoked and for them to come into the league a year early. I personally just see Widnes fans as moaners but tbh with the team that Celtic have been left with now, unless they can steal away some Union talent, they might as well do just that allow Widnes into the league.

As for the whole having to be in Cardiff to be successful, I'm not sure, because I mean starting up a team like that is never going to be succesful immediately, if this whole shit hadn't happened then next season and even the season after I'm sure we would see vast improvement in support.

I can see why the Widnes fans would be like that, but I'm sure they'll get in next time at the expense of the Crusaders. There just isn’t the interest in League here. Union will always be the dominant sport.

The Cardiff factor is more because people who are intrigued by the side, like myself, would be more likely to attend their games if they were in Cardiff than say Bridgend. As you've probably seen, The Arms Park is smack bang in the middle of the City Centre (it's next to the Millennium Stadium). For years our Union side has benefited from people just being in town one day, and then popping along on a whim to see a match, maybe while shopping with the other half for example. That's exactly how I first went to match there.

Also the blokes would love it because there are plenty of bars around the ground, and plenty of public transport to carry them home after a skin-full and a game. Something that’s quite difficult to do in Bridgend.

I understand how difficult it is to set up a team like this, but they handicap themselves more by having the team in such a Union heartland. Cardiff has a mixed sporting scene, with the Union, football and Ice Hockey sides all getting good crowds. But then again I am from Cardiff, and will always show a bias for my city.

Dmac · 08-20-2009, 11:10 AM

Well firstly in 2 years, it's not gonna be a replace, there is 2 extra teams coming in sure there could be some replacements if some teams don't live up to standards, but it's not going to be a straight 2 in/2 out. So Widnes and probably Halifax will be in, then if Celtic get the boot, another team will be considered.

I know how awesome Cardiff is, I went to Millenium magic both years and really just liked the city, I would have loved for it to stay there but they want to expand so after two years they moved along to Scotland.

Dmac · 08-22-2009, 05:38 PM

When I said that they were doomed, THIS is what I meant...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Celtic Crusaders 0-68 Leeds

Celtic Crusaders (0) 0
Leeds Rhinos (34) 68
Tries: Senior 2, Hall, Donald, Webb 4, Peacock 2, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Diskin
Goals: Sinfield (8)

Leeds Rhinos ran in 13 tries to crush Celtic Crusaders at Newport and move to the top of table on points difference.

Kevin Sinfield kicked eight goals for the visitors, including his 1,000th goal for Leeds.

The Rhinos were 34-0 ahead at half-time through seven tries and three Sinfield conversions.

Jamie Peacock, Rob Burrow and Brent Webb helped to take Leeds over 50 points before Jamie Jones Buchanan, Matt Diskin and Webb sealed the rout.

Six Crusaders are to be deported

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