North Wales Crusaders withdraw from 2027 Championship

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

North Wales Crusaders will not compete in the Championship in 2027 after failing to agree on escrow payment terms.

North Wales Crusaders have announced they will not compete in the 2027 Championship. The Colwyn Bay-based club, taken over by new ownership in May following previous insolvency, needed to prove long-term viability to the Rugby Football League to secure a competition licence.

The dispute centres on an escrow payment of £150,000. The club said that despite fulfilling every RFL requirement, it could not agree to the terms governing where this money would be deposited. The Crusaders insisted the escrow 'must be fully independent, without unreasonable rules or restrictions imposed upon it'.

The club said it is now too late to prepare for 2027 competition but hopes to return in 2028. It stated it would be 'prepared to step back in immediately' if the RFL reconsidered its position. RFL chief executive Ian Nolan said the club was 'unwilling to agree to any proposed suggestion or deposit the funds' but that the RFL remains keen to continue working with them.

How it is being reported

• North Wales Crusaders withdraw from next year's ChampionshipNorth Wales Crusaders have announced they will not compete in the Championship in 2027.North Wales Chronicle · 22 Oct, 15:25
• North Wales Crusaders withdraw from next year's ChampionshipNorth Wales Crusaders have announced they will not compete in the Championship in 2027.North Wales Pioneer · 22 Oct, 15:25

In this story: North Wales Crusaders · Rugby Football League · Colwyn Bay · Ian Nolan

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