Crusaders back in Super League but with four-point deduction

The Crusaders have been readmitted to the Super League after going into administration but Iestyn Harris's team will start next season with a deduction of four points. The Rugby Football League has accepted the plans of the Wrexham businessmen Ian Roberts and Geoff Moss – who placed the club in administration to escape seven-figure debts – but was determined to impose a penalty. "We are disappointed to start the season on minus four points but we believe Iestyn and the squad can turn that into a positive," said Rod Findlay, who joined the club as chief executive this week. "This is the news everyone has been waiting for. Everyone involved in the club can now look forward to the future after what has been a difficult and challenging few weeks." The Crusaders are confident of concluding the deal under which they will emerge from administration on Monday and will then be ready to relaunch as the Wales Crusaders – their third name in as many Super League seasons. "There is still a lot of hard work to be done off the field but we believe this gives the club a fresh start and we can concentrate on what we hope will be another fantastic year here at the Racecourse Ground," said Roberts, the chairman. Many of Crusaders' debts were inherited from the previous regime who ran the Celtic Crusaders in Bridgend. York have signed Jason Demetriou, the former Wakefield Trinity captain, on a one-year contract following their promotion to the Championship.