New badge...

By Chris O'Brien
August 20 2009

A disappointing turnout of less than a dozen supporters attended an open meeting with Mike Turner on Wednesday evening. With the dust yet to settle on the Visa saga that has see the club’s name dragged through the national press, a host of issues were discussed as the Celtic Crusaders prepare for some big changes and a controversial switch from Bridgend to Newport next season.

Unfortunately, I'm not one to bemoan the poor attendance. Less than a dozen fans turned up and the meeting could perhaps have been better publicised. However, with the car sat in the local garage, I couldn't make it and have thus relied on fellow Saders fan Aaron to answer us some queries and write up a report on events as chief executive Mike Turner and media manager Ian Golden answered a range of questions.

What was discussed at the meeting? How many fans turned up?

The turnout was poor; 10 fans in total. Ian Golden and Mike Turner attended. Almost everything was discussed. Mike Turner pretty much said "hit me with what you've got; I'll answer anything as honestly as I can".

What was the mood like after the Visa saga?

Started off with Visa situation. Admitted the club had taken shortcuts under previous administration, and that this was clearly not the way forward. We discussed the new stadium plans, the Newport move, where the road games would be played next season, how the club could be marketed, the rebranding, and a bit about general club issues e.g. signings etc.

The mood was okay. Mike and Ian had hellish days today and yesterday with the press, when Ian left at 8, he said he'd been there 12 hours, and you could hear the phones still ringing from the press whilst we were in the boardroom.

What were the main talking points? Was anything about the Newport move and the potential new stadium (Island Farm/Brackla) put forward?

Newport was raised, and Mike explained how well NGD etc. have treated us. Giving us access to a 20,000 person database for marketing purposes. Contract, and announcement will be done this week. Also, Wrexham, which is where one of the road games will be next season, are giving us the ground for free (including stewarding). They are absolutely desperate to have us there.

The Brackla plans look fantastic! Island Farm is dead in the water, and it looks like Brackla has been seriously thought out and has some great backers in Green Bank Partnerships. They did a fantastic job with the Leigh Sports Village. The Crusaders are essentially the centrepiece of this project, and everything else is reliant on it but it will absolutely transform Bridgend. Think Liberty Stadium but on a larger, wider-reaching scale. Seriously, brilliant. Would change Bridgend forever.

What did you make of the new badge? Was anything discussed about the potential name change; or will the club still formally be known as the ‘Celtic' Crusaders?

I liked the new badge. From what I can gather, yes 'Celtic' will probably be dropped from what I can gather. They are keen to drop any association with Celtic Warriors, fair play I say, even though I'm not that happy about losing 'Celtic', if it sorts out some of the issues of Samuel being at the helm and us being a love-child of the Celtic Warriors' demise then I think it's a good thing.

Thanks a lot to Aaron for taking the time to answer these questions. Clearly, these are uncertain times for the rugby league football club as we head to a new home with a somewhat changed identity set to be implemented.

The highlights from the meeting seem to be the launch of the new crest, the news that the Island Farm development will not happen and the unveiling of impressive new stadium plans at Brackla. What do you make of this? Join in the debate on the messageboard and please leave a comment below.

Aaron's Review from Supporters Meeting

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 20/08/2009 19:00

CruXIII
20/08/2009 19:00

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Chris Hollett
20/08/2009 19:14

The turnout was low because we were told it was to be held in the boardroom with room for a total of 12 people.

The badge SUCKS! It's basically the Prince of Wales 3 feathers in front of a St David's cross with rugby league written across it with Crusaders in a cartoon style across the bottom.

as I understand it, the knight was dropped because some sensistive souls objected to a beastly man with a scary sword.

Well I object to us being labelled as subjects of the eldest saxe-coburg gotha lad and having the flag of a roman catholic saint.

I support the CELTIC Crusaders and will not be buying any merchandise with that poncy badge on it.

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