Crusaders Mulling Ground Switch

Super League club Celtic Crusaders are on the verge of switching their home matches from the Brewery Field in Bridgend to Newport’s Rodney Parade from next season.

Crusaders were one of five Super League clubs who were warned their ground was not up to standard, meaning their place in the league could be in doubt.

‘We’re negotiating with Newport Gwent Dragons at the moment,’ said Crusaders’ chief executive Mike Turner. ‘Hopefully within the next 10 days we’ll have a contract signed.’

Licences for entry to Super League from 2009-12 were issued with orders for facilities to improve.

Castleford, Wakefield and Salford have all received warnings about their stadium plans.

St Helens and the Crusaders have also been warned but they have plans in place for new homes by 2012.

The Crusaders were already due to play at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 22nd August against champions Leeds Rhinos in what was originally to be an ‘on the road’ match.

But the likely switch for next season means they will have just one more game at the Brewery Field when they host Huddersfield Giants on Saturday, 5th September.

Turner insists that it will not be the end of rugby league in the county though. He says plans for a purpose-built stadium are progressing with two possible venues being lined up.

‘There’s been a lot of work done in the last 12 months,’ he said. ‘Hopefully a 14-15,000 capacity stadium will reach fruition for the 2012 season.’