North Wales Crusaders have delayed their upcoming fan forum with club owner Jamie Elkaleh releasing a video to confirm the Championship side are still in talks with the Rugby Football League over their future.
Elkaleh had sold North Wales to the Egg Chasers company, however, they pulled funding earlier this season, which saw the Crusaders go to the very brink and almost collapse.
At that point, Elkaleh rescued the club and the Rugby Football League granted his new company the rights to hold the club’s membership until the end of the season with a decision to be made later on for 2027.
That process is now ongoing with North Wales having previously released statements calling for clarity on their situation, with a statement from late August stating: “We need urgent, definitive answers regarding our licensing status immediately so we can make informed decisions about how we proceed. I want closure this week.”
Six weeks on and there is no closure, something that fans also want and that was the purpose of a fan forum, however, club owner Elkaleh has now shared a video via the club’s Facebook page to confirm that discussions remain ongoing.
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North Wales in talks with Rugby Football League over 2027 licence
Shared on Saturday evening, Elkaleh said: “This Monday, we were due to have our fan forum but I wanted to front up and tell you that we are delaying that by a few days.
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“We are in a current process that means we shouldn’t really come out there and be outspoken until we come with absolutes and I’m confident in the next week that we will have the answers to the questions that we have.
“We are working with the RFL. We are working with our legal side and we are trying to get things over the line and fixed.”
Should an update come, Elkaleh confirmed that the fans will be the first to hear as he gave a rallying cry to insist that his support of North Wales will remain.
He said: “Fingers crossed, we will come with good news. You will be the first people to know and all I want to say is thank you so much for your support.
“We are not going to give up. We are here for the long term. We are very appreciative of all your support and the well wishes and frankly, we are here to stay so let’s make sure that happens.”
Elkaleh also confirmed that the date of the future fan’s forum will be communicated as soon as possible, labelling this upcoming week as a ‘big week for the club’.
