By Chris O'Brien
September 8 2009

 

Celtic Crusaders RLFC
Rodney Parade
Newport
South Wales

 

The Celtic Crusaders played their first fixture at Rodney Parade in August 2009, suffering a thumping 68-0 defeat against the Leeds Rhinos in an “on the road” game on the back of the Visa-gate scandal.

The club had announced that a permanent switch to Newport would be made that week, marking the end of the club’s association with the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

A number of reasons were given to the controversial switch. Rodney Parade, however, has a bigger capacity and ticks more boxes with Super League officials.

Newport also provides a larger catchment area for potential fans – near to the Welsh capital of Cardiff and opening avenues over the Severn Bridge too.

Rodney Parade is also rescheduled for an impressive redevelopment in the near future. This will provide a useful fallback for the Saders should the club fail in its ultimate ambition to return to Bridgend in a new purpose built arena.

The Saders share Rodney Parade with the Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC and have penned a deal that will see them play ten home games at the ground.

Capacity - 10,000