Forster leaves Crusaders for Super League role

Arun Watkins, Carl Forster and Bobby Watkins celebrate Crusaders' title winImage source, Bobby Watkins
Image caption,

Carl Forster (centre) with Crusaders owner Arun Watkins (left) and chairman Bobby Watkins

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North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster has left the club to take up a full-time role with a Super League club.

Forster joined Crusaders in 2023 and last season led the Colwyn Bay-based club to the League One tittle, with 14 wins from 18 games.

"The players and staff, the current group is the best I've ever had the pleasure of sharing a changing room with," Forster said.

"The route to the play-off final in 2023 and getting our hands on the title this year will stay with me forever."

Crusaders owner Arun Watkins said Forster's move to an as yet unnamed Super League club is a sign of the progress the club have made.

"A little less than 10 months ago, the club was predicted to finish third from bottom across the entire RFL elite system and was possibly moments away from going out of business," Watkins said.

"Fast forward to now, we are league champions, building solid crowds, our fanbase has skyrocketed and our head coach has been asked to step up to a team who last year were two divisions above us.

"That is possibly one of the highest compliments to get. It is with a heavy heart that we must congratulate Carl and wish him all the best for the future."