The players of financially-stricken Super League outfit Crusaders have been assured that they will continue to be paid as normal at the end of the month.
Players reported back for pre-season training this week just a few days after the Wrexham-based club went into administration.
Crusaders officials have taken action to ring-fence mounting debts they inherited from the previous administration and remain confident they can successfully restructure the club in time for the new Super League season – even if it means starting with a points deduction.
The Rugby Football League are understood to be sympathetic to their plight and have agreed to make a payment from central funds in order that administrators can cover the players’ wages.
Joint administrator Simon Weir stated: “We had a meeting with the players yesterday and we’ve been in discussions with the RFL, who have agreed to release monies due to the club this week, which will enable the players’ wages to be paid at the end of the month.”
The administrators also remain confident that they will be able to find new owners by the end of the month.
“Hopefully that will still be the case,” added Weir. “We are still in talks with a couple of parties. Things are progressing.”
Crusaders are scheduled to kick off the new season with a match against Salford at the Magic Weekend in Cardiff on February 13.
