THE team behind the bid to bring the Crusaders rugby league club out of administration has appointed a chief executive.

The man who will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the Crusaders if businessmen Ian Roberts and Geoff Moss are successful in buying the club will be Rod Findlay.

Mr Findlay , a solicitor, has a great deal of experience in the world of rugby league.

His past employers have included Gateshead Thunder Rugby League Club and the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Mr Roberts said: “He is well respected and highly thought of. He will be in charge of running the club on a day to day basis and we are very pleased to have him at the club.”

Mr Roberts is confident a final agreement to buy the Crusaders and bring it out of administration will be able to go ahead within the next few days.

“Discussions are going well, it is mainly a legal matter now. We are keen for everything to progress quickly,” said Mr Roberts.

Simon Weir, spokesman for administrators O’Hara based in Yorkshire, said further talks took place with Mr Roberts yesterday.

“The matter is with solictors. From our point of view we are keen for a purchase to be made speedily and we are hopeful an agreement can be reached soon,” he said.

At the beginning of December it was announced the RFL had come to an agreement in principle for Mr Roberts and Mr Moss to regain ownership of the Crusaders, leaving the way open for them to go ahead to purchase the club from the administrator.

The RFL said there was great potential for rugby league to flourish in North Wales.