By Conrad Anderson
As attention turns to the 2025 season, we take a look back at ten talking points from the 2024 season before the year draws to a close tonight.
1) Early Sings: Widnes (H)
Welcoming Championship opponents Widnes Vikings to Stadiwm CSM in the 1895 Cup Crusaders fans were given a chance to see what lay ahead for them in the coming season, despite the loss, the team competed and showed what they could do in an entertaining affair on the North Wales coast.
2) March In The Dutchy: Cornwall (A)
Cornwall is always tough place to go, and with a late change of venue, the adversity could have caused issues for Carl Forster’s side in their first league outing of the year, however, it didn’t phase the squad who travelled down to the south coast and came away with a 40-16 victory.
3) A Scare For The Roughyeds: Oldham (H)
Locked in a fierce title race with Keighley, Oldham arrived in Colwyn Bay firm favourites. Probably the best performance of the season saw the better team lose as a Saturday night thriller resulted in a high scoring game where Oldham come from behind to snatch a 25-24 victory. Nevertheless, Crusaders players left with their heads held high.
4) Heartbreak To Heartbreakers: Workington (H)
Just two weeks on from a last minute defeat in North Wales, Crusaders battled back to inflict an equally crushing defeat on Workington Town. A epic win which saw captain fantastic Chris Barratt crash over to equalise the score and a Ben Lane conversion to win it 34-32.
5) A Crusade In Cumbria: Workington (A)
A blustery August day saw North Wales break Workington hearts for a second time in the same season. Coming from behind with a second-half come back, the hosts were reduced to 11 men and the Welsh outfit capitalised on the advantage to take the two points with a 28-24 victory.
6) Hunslet Heartache: Hunslet (A)
A game which could have gone either way resulted in a narrow defeat for Carl Forster’s side, however, an abiding memory for the traveling Crusaders faithful was seeing Kieron Taylor crash onto the ball, before showing some razzle-dazzle with his feet, weaving his way through to score a brilliant try which saw him win the Supporters Try Of The Season.
7) The Local Lad: Cornwall (H)
As the 2024 season drew to a close, Lloyd Evans made his first team debut in the final game of the season. The Llandudno based player impressed, scoring a great try to start open the afternoon’s scoring.
8) Fanzone Fun
A new addition to the 2024 matchday experience, the Garvey Conveyor Fanzone became home to some brilliant times with local acts entertaining fans both pre and post match.
9) Dawn Of A New Era
Following a difficult 2024 season, the club was sparked into life in December entering a new era being acquired by EggChasers, following a flurry of new signings anticipation for the 2025 season is building.
10) Familiar Faces: The return of Jamie Dallimore
Probably the worst kept secret in North Wales, Jamie Dallimore re-joins North Wales Crusaders after a three-year abcence from the game.
Speaking about his return to the club in am emotional interview, Dallimore said he wants to ‘right a few wrongs’ and makes sure that his youngest son is able to see “Daddy play again”.
Join North Wales Crusaders for the 2025 season with season tickets on sale for just £99 adults and FREE for Under 16’s. Secure yours by clicking HERE to buy.
