Adminstrators optimistic over buyer for Crusaders

The administrators now in charge of ailing Super League club Crusaders say they expect to find new buyers by the end of the month.

The Wrexham-based club revealed yesterday they were forced to take action at the High Court of Justice in Leeds to prevent the club from being wound up by creditors, who are thought to include HM Revenue and Customs and former owner Leighton Samuel.

The club say the bulk of their debt which made the business untenable was inherited when they made the move from Bridgend to Wrexham a year ago and only came to light in recent months. Club chairman Ian Roberts was not available for comment but it is thought the existing shareholders are keen to form a new company to take over the running of the club, which could be known in the future as Welsh Crusaders.

Joint administrator Peter O'Hara said: "There was a high level of support and enthusiasm towards Super League rugby in its first season in Wrexham which exceeded the club's expectations. We are currently pursuing a number of options and are talking to interested parties and the RFL in the hope that a solution can be found to the club's current difficulties which would enable it to go forward and maintain rugby league in Wales."

The other administrator, Simon Weir, confirmed that the club's players will not become free agents but could in theory be sold to help pay off the debts, although that is an unlikely outcome. "It's early days but in simple terms we will be looking to sell the club's assets," he said. "