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By Chris,
November 11 2009

The Celtic Crusaders, err I mean Crusaders Rugby League; have finally confirmed their rebranding ahead of next season’s campaign at Rodney Parade. The new badge – shown here on CruXIII months ago – has been officially unveiled as the club bid for Super League success under the stewardship of rugby league legend Brian Noble.

Thecontroversial branding as seen the words ‘Celtic’ dropped from the team name,whilst a new badge boasting the three feathers has become the club’s thirdcrest since formation in 2005. 

Thecompany which owns the club is still registered as ‘Celtic Crusaders Limited’ –but the team itself will now be known as ‘Crusaders Rugby League’ from now on.It’s a contentious step, but one which should finally stop the media naming usafter a certain football club from East Glasgow. 

Toughthe new crest appeared on season ticket application forms at the end of lastseason, it was only last week that the club adjusted its web-site accordinglyand started referring to itself purely as the Crusaders. 

Therebranding has split the club’s long-serving supporters – many disappointedthat the club is going through yet more cosmetic changes after such a shortspell of existence. 

With ahost of new players on the way, a new coaching team installed and a move toRodney Parade confirmed, the club’s 2010 campaign can be regarded as a freshstart following last season’s rock bottom finish in Super League. 

Therebrand is based on a desire from club officials to sever links with the old‘Celtic Warriors’ regional rugby team. Chief Executive Mike Turner told me somemonths ago that the club was desperate to expand its fan base across South Wales and beyond – and that too many fansassociated the Saders with the old Warriors region. 

However,the demise of the Warriors is an important benchmark in the club’s history. Hadthe WRU not disbanded the Valleys-based region, then Leighton Samuel wouldnever have set up the Crusaders and South Waleswouldn’t now be the proud base of a growing Super League club. That shouldnever be forgotten. 

It wasthe demise of the Warriors that subsequently allowed the Crusaders to flourishin Bridgend. From small acorns grow big trees. Starting life in National LeagueTwo, this new entity, under the stewardship of John Dixon, stormed through theNational Leagues and was awarded a Super League place in time for the 2009campaign. There’s no evidence to suggest it will – but club officials mustnever be allowed to dismiss this fine achievement in the name of marketing! 

It’salso easy to criticise the timing of the formal announcement of the club’srebranding. Mike Turner told fans and CruXIII many weeks ago about the plannedchanges, and yet when Brian Noble, Jon Sharp and Iestyn Harris were confirmedas the club’s new backroom team, they wore merchandise boasting the old logo.Surely the arrival of these three RL giants would have been an ideal time toofficially launch the new crest and name. 

Nevermind, eh? Onwards and upwards. Let’s hope some new signings are around thecorner and that this rebranding exercise encourages more fans to sit up, takenote and support rugby league in South Wales.

Rebrand finally confirmed, but roots should not be forgotten

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 11/11/2009 11:34

CruXIII
11/11/2009 11:34

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