Crusaders ready to invade N.Wales; WREXHAM TO GET TOP-CLASS SUPER LEAGUE NEXT SEASON.

Byline: MARTIN WILLIAMS 

WREXHAM FC has sealed a deal that will see thousands of Super League fans descend on the Racecourse ground next summer.

The Dragons yesterday announced the Celtic Crusaders will play at least one match in Wrexham next season, bringing up to 10,000 supporters to North Wales.

The rugby league outfit, who have been based in Bridgend since being created in 2006, said more fixtures would be announced for the Racecourse in November - possibly as many as three in 2010.

The likely opponents for the July match are Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves or St Helens.

The three-year sponsorship deal means Crusaders merchandise will be sold at the Blue Square Premier club's shop.

Crusaders general manager Mike Turner said: "We've always said that we were a team for the whole of Wales.

"Taking the Crusaders into North Wales gives us the opportunity to take Super League to a brand new set of fans and I'm sure that there will also be a very large away following with Wrexham being a stone's throw from the traditional rugby league heartlands.

"We have built up a good relationship with the club over the last few months and are delighted this is going ahead.

"There is a willingness to make this a big event and a festival of rugby and we can't wait."

Wrexham's chief executive Paul Retout said the deal was lucrative, but would not disclose how much money the club would receive.

However, Mr Turner told the Daily Post tongue-in-cheek: "Put it this way, I'm crying and he (Retout) is happy!" Mr Retout added: "This is a major coup for the Racecourse, Wrexham and North Wales, which has been sadly starved of professional rugby for many years.

"We are blessed in North Wales with a fantastic stadium that in recent years has only really been used to host football matches.

"The deal with Celtic Crusaders is part of a strategy to diversify the use of the stadium.

"The deal signed is a very lucrative one for Wrexham FC who will also benefit from selling rugby merchandise in the club shop."

The Celtic Crusaders are part of the European Super League having been awarded a licence by the Rugby Football League in July 2008. Although they are moving to a new ground in Newport for the 2010 and 2011 season they have agreed to play at least three home games 'on the road'."

Alan Watkin, Wrexham council's chief leisure officer, said the decision would have a positive impact on the town.

"We believe it's our role to bring top level sport into the area and in short term a major fixture against the right team could bring a crowd of 8-10,000 people to the Racecourse," he said. "With rugby league being very much a family game this is great news for Wrexham."

The Racecourse last hosted rugby league in 2001 when Wales lost 42-33 to England in front of a 6,373 crowd.

Crusader facts

THE Celtic Crusaders are a Welsh professional rugby league club based in Bridgend.

They are part of the European Super League after having been awarded a licence by the Rugby Football League on July 22, 2008. Home games have traditionally been played at the Brewery Field in Bridgend, although they have plans for a new stadium in the town.

Due to the shortcomings of their current ground they have announced that they will play at Rodney Parade in Newport for the 2010 and 2011 Super League seasons.

The Crusaders are attracting fans of the now defunct rugby union team Celtic Warriors, who were in the Celtic League before they were disbanded by the WRU.

CAPTION(S):

Top Welsh rugby league team the Celtic Crusaders (main, black strip) are to play games at Wrexham FC's Racecourse Ground; inset, Mike Turner, chief executive of the team with Paul Retout chief executive of Wrexham FC and Alun Watkin of Wrexham Council