FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

   WWW.RLFANS.COM • View topic - Great article on the corrupt RFL
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Coach5865No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 22 200420 yearsN/A
OnlineLast PostLast Page
24th Mar 19 22:2225th Nov 18 21:48LINK
Milestone Posts
5000
10000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Halifax, Yorkshire,England

Great article on the corrupt RFL : Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:14 pm  
Here is the whole excellent article written by two guys who have the bottle and the distance as they are not on these shores for the RFL to 'get at them' and 'gag' them. Note the comments in bold how true those words are see:-

Two ex-Crusaders players have blamed the RFL for the problems that blighted the Welsh club's stay in Super League, and say the governing body should be held accountable for its collapse.

The recent news that Keith Senior is to pursue legal action against Crusaders and the RFL has seemingly re-opened wounds still lingering from players who actually represented the club during its three year stint in Super League and beyond.

Senior remains without a club having signed for the Wrexham-based club just weeks before it opted to withdraw from Super League in 2012.

Josh Hannay, 32, a former Queensland State of Origin centre and second in the all-time North Queensland Cowboys points scorers list, and former Brisbane Broncos full-back Tony Duggan, 28, are now leading calls for ex-players to take legal action over moneys they are owed.

Hannay said: "In light of Keith Senior's fight against the club, it's re-opened our wounds and we are hoping it can re-open the door on our situation and lead to us gaining the compensation we rightly deserve.

"This time we feel we need to not only focus our anger on Crusaders and Leighton Samuels, but the RFL itself. They knew the whole time what was going on, and they sanctioned our participation and the participation of so many others like us, knowing the whole time that it was illegal and that they were in the wrong.

"For them to allow what has happened to us, to allow the Crusaders to get away with not compensating us, makes them as guilty as anyone involved in all of this."

Hannay, who joined the club in 2007 following a spell at Cronulla Sharks, scored 104 points in 44 appearances, while Duggan scored 101 tries in 88 appearances over four seasons, scoring their very first try in 2006.

The whole situation is complicated, however. Original owner Leighton Samuels, who was in charge from the National League 2 beginnings through to the first season in Super League, sold the club at the end of 2009, with the new owners then relocating the franchise from Bridgend to north Wales. The new owners then led the club in to administration at the end of the 2010 season citing "inherited debt", which resulted in the club suffering a six point deduction last year.

Then, with many expecting Wakefield to get the Super League axe last July, Crusaders announced they were withdrawing from the competition at the end of 2011, with club owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts pulling out of the club, saying they were not able to fund the side any more, a move which eventually led to the club being wound up in September.

Hannay and Duggan, along with Jace van Dijk, Damien Quinn, Mark Dalle Court and Darren Mapp, were deported in 2009 by the UK Borders Agency after it was found they were playing in the country illegally. However, Hannay says that the players involved were guided 100% by Crusaders and the RFL on how best to gain entry in to the UK and play.

"The way with which we entered the country and the terms under which we played rugby league over there were totally dictated by the Crusaders club, and the powers that be at the RFL," he said.

"Everything we did to gain entry into the UK and to play rugby league in the UK was done in good faith that these two groups were doing the right thing by us. The legal thing. The honest thing. How wrong we were and how greatly we have paid through substantial loss of income and substantial loss of potential income in the future, not to mention the hit our reputations took while the RFL seemingly wiped their hands clean of the situation."

Duggan, who has since been playing for Lezignan in the French Elite League, isn't able to play in the Challenge Cup for his new club due to the 10-year ban from the UK handed to the six deported players.

He said: "When we questioned the non-professional visa we were told that it was a loop hole that all clubs were using. When the UKBA started their investigation the RFL denied all knowledge.

"When we got deported, much to our shock, the Crusaders and RFL knew they were in trouble. We were told we were already deported and there was nothing we could do but if we kept quiet and played nice then they would pay us not only what we were owed but also the remaining amount on our contracts."

Prior to leaving the country, the six players demanded a meeting with then Crusaders owner Leighton Samuel to get assurances over their pay, and he took their Australian bank account details, giving each player his "word" that they would be paid the money that they had "earned and deserved”. They never received a penny.

Duggan added: "It was heartbreaking to be kicked out of the country and branded cheats. We worked so hard to develop rugby league in Wales and achieve success with the Crusaders. To put so much effort in and finally reach Super League and then have it all taken away was tough to handle. Then to add insult to injury they have stolen our money. Someone needs to be held accountable for this.

"I was lucky that I signed straight away for Lezignan and came here to continue my career but most of the guys had to return to Australia. Not only did they make us pack up our lives in 2 weeks but they also deprived us of the ability to continue our careers at that level. For it all to be brought about by the incompetence and lies of the RFL and Crusaders was a tough pill to swallow.

During Duggan’s last few months at the club, an RFL taskforce, led by Steve Ferres and Gary Tasker, was appointed to liaise with the club over its finances.

Duggan added: “The RFL knew back then the depth of financial trouble the club was in and yet they continued to let them operate. For them to come out and act surprised when the Crusaders pulled out just before the franchise announcement was laughable! They need to be held accountable for allowing this to continue.”

A new club, North Wales Crusaders, was formed following the collapse of the Super League franchise, playing in the third tier, back where both Hannay and Duggan started their careers with the club

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 69 guests

REPLY

Subject: 
Message:
   
Please note using apple style emoji's can result in posting failures.
Use the FULL EDITOR to better format content or upload images, be notified of replies etc...

Return to Swinton Lions


RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
New Players
Deadcowboys1
144
Recent
Leigh Leopards - 2025 Fixtures
Cokey
5
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1s
Shopping list for 2025
The games af
5579
9s
How many games will we win
Trojan Horse
21
11s
Ground Improvements
Trojan Horse
159
32s
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
63232
1m
Leeds away first up
Big lads mat
49
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
The Dentist
4029
2m
Game - Song Titles
Boss Hog
40739
2m
Accounts
Greg Florimo
135
3m
Salford
Uncle Rico
18
3m
Pre Season - 2025
RockNRolla
184
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Mike Ogunwole
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Bailey Dawson
Wanderer
1
TODAY
2024
poplar cats
12
TODAY
Dan Norman Retires
Cokey
1
TODAY
How many games will we win
Trojan Horse
21
TODAY
Leigh Leopards - 2025 Fixtures
Cokey
5
TODAY
Catalan Away
Dannyboywt1
6
TODAY
2025 Betfred Super League Fixtures
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
2025 fixtures
Smiffy27
15
TODAY
Fixtures
Willzay
13
TODAY
Salford
Uncle Rico
18
TODAY
WCC Off
Choc Ice
11
TODAY
Leeds away first up
Big lads mat
49
TODAY
Jake McLoughlin
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Assistant Coach - Langley
exiledrhino
30
TODAY
Noah Booth out on loan
Big lads mat
22
TODAY
Luke Gale testimonial match
BarnsleyGull
2
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
2025 Betfred Super League Fixt..
903
Magic Weekend 2025 - Back To N..
570
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
1301
England's Women Demolish The W..
1133
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
1369
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
1157
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
1419
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1962
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
2170
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
2412
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1979
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
2219
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
2686
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
2113
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
2183
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Thu 13th Feb
SL
20:00
Wigan-Leigh
Fri 14th Feb
SL
20:00
Hull KR-Castleford
SL
20:00
Catalans-Hull FC
Sat 15th Feb
SL
15:00
Leeds - Wakefield
SL
17:30
St.Helens-Salford
Sun 16th Feb
SL
15:00
Huddersfield-Warrington
Thu 20th Feb
SL
20:00
Wakefield - Hull KR
Fri 21st Feb
SL
20:00
Warrington-Catalans
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Wigan
Sat 22nd Feb
SL
15:00
Salford-Leeds
SL
20:00
Castleford-St.Helens
Sun 23rd Feb
SL
14:30
Leigh-Huddersfield
Thu 6th Mar
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Leigh
Fri 7th Mar
SL
20:00
Castleford-Salford
SL
20:00
St.Helens-Hull KR
Sat 8th Mar
SL
17:30
Catalans-Leeds
Sun 9th Mar
SL
17:30
Warrington - Wakefield
SL
17:30
Wigan-Huddersfield
Thu 20th Mar
SL
20:00
Salford-Huddersfield
Fri 21st Mar
SL
20:00
St.Helens-Warrington
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
New Players
Deadcowboys1
144
Recent
Leigh Leopards - 2025 Fixtures
Cokey
5
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1s
Shopping list for 2025
The games af
5579
9s
How many games will we win
Trojan Horse
21
11s
Ground Improvements
Trojan Horse
159
32s
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
63232
1m
Leeds away first up
Big lads mat
49
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
The Dentist
4029
2m
Game - Song Titles
Boss Hog
40739
2m
Accounts
Greg Florimo
135
3m
Salford
Uncle Rico
18
3m
Pre Season - 2025
RockNRolla
184
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Mike Ogunwole
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Bailey Dawson
Wanderer
1
TODAY
2024
poplar cats
12
TODAY
Dan Norman Retires
Cokey
1
TODAY
How many games will we win
Trojan Horse
21
TODAY
Leigh Leopards - 2025 Fixtures
Cokey
5
TODAY
Catalan Away
Dannyboywt1
6
TODAY
2025 Betfred Super League Fixtures
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
2025 fixtures
Smiffy27
15
TODAY
Fixtures
Willzay
13
TODAY
Salford
Uncle Rico
18
TODAY
WCC Off
Choc Ice
11
TODAY
Leeds away first up
Big lads mat
49
TODAY
Jake McLoughlin
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Assistant Coach - Langley
exiledrhino
30
TODAY
Noah Booth out on loan
Big lads mat
22
TODAY
Luke Gale testimonial match
BarnsleyGull
2
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
2025 Betfred Super League Fixt..
903
Magic Weekend 2025 - Back To N..
570
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
1301
England's Women Demolish The W..
1133
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
1369
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
1157
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
1419
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1962
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
2170
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
2412
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1979
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
2219
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
2686
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
2113
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
2183


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!