Crusaders boss Brian Noble has called for the club's backers to realise the club’s potential and has pleaded with the game’s rulers for guidance on their future.

Noble, who has recently been linked with roles at Bradford Bulls and a coaching position in rugby union, is guiding the Wrexham-based club’s bid for a place in the Super League play-offs.

But he also hopes the Crusaders can enjoy long-term success.
He said: "The Crusaders have fabulous potential, but we need to realise that potential and invest in the joint."

Speculation surrounds head coach Noble’s own future beyond this season - including a possible switch to rugby union - and he told BBC Sport Wales: "You never say never, but the present is pretty much fixed for me.

"Plenty of people have done that kind of thing and again and it's very flattering to be asked that question.

"But I firmly believe that there are lots of coaches that can cross codes, but whether it's for me is a question to be answered down the track, I suppose."

Noble saw his Wrexham-based side twice come from behind to beat Castleford 30-24 at Neath's Gnoll ground on Sunday.

He says that and other recent performances augur well for the remaining five regular league fixtures that will determine whether the Crusaders make the play-offs in their second Super League season.

But while on-field affairs have a positive outlook, Noble says the club's longer-term future also needs to be addressed.

Asked  about the Crusaders' future, Noble said: "The transition from south Wales to north Wales has been an amazing achievement in such a short period of time and the club going forward needs the help of the Rugby League.

"I'm not talking financially, but it needs to help with the Rugby League in direction, it needs the help of where do we go from here, how ambitious are we?

"And those are questions that would be answered by the right people. The right people are the good people that are running the joint up in Wrexham now."

Noble believes there is huge potential for the sport in Wales and hopes the Crusaders go from strength to strength.

He added: "I've said many a time that rugby league in Wales is very important to the game.

"I think there's bags and bags of players to furnish both games and I'm a big believer that some people are more talented to play one sport than the other - they are very different in a lot of respects.

"But again it's not an us against them situation providing another spectator sport for Wales."

Sunday’s game attracted a passionate crowd to the Gnoll, with fans both old and new turning up to see  Noble’s men tame the Tigers.

And Crusaders’ star Jordan James was full of praise for the support down in South Wales.

 “The fans were brilliant. They sang all game and give us fantastic support from the first minute right up until the 80th. It gave the lads a real boost and we’re really happy with the reception we got.,” added James.

“It was great to get back down there and see all the fans again. We have some fantastic support down there and a few of them continue to support the Crusaders both home and away.

“Unfortunately not everyone can get up to Wrexham so was great to play in front of those supporters again. The South Wales Scorpions are also doing a fantastic job down there and the future for rugby league in Wales looks very promising.

“It was a good effort from everyone. We went behind and stuck at it. We did the basics well which and completes our sets which was very satisfying.”

The Crusaders attention now focuses to Sunday’s clash against Shaun McRae’s Salford City Reds.

Tickets for Sunday’s  game  are available from the club shop, calling the ticket hotline on 0871 221 9511 or online at www.crusadersrfl.com