They may claim an unenviable spot in rugby league records but the recent story of North Wales Crusaders centers on endurance.

Their 134-0 reverse against London Broncos stood as the heaviest defeat recorded by any outfit in the top two divisions across 131 years of the sport.

It marked the third instance this campaign the side had conceded 100 points in Championship fixtures - another unwanted distinction.

Yet such lopsided results have ranked among the lesser concerns for the troubled outfit that stood hours from collapse only weeks earlier, when simply naming a side counted as a notable success.

Sean Long was enjoying time with family during spring when a summons arrived to assist a club nearing shutdown.

"So I'm in Center Parcs and my phone starts going," said Long while recounting his swift appointment to guide the struggling group.

"We need a squad in three days. Where can we find them?"

After nine matches Championship club Crusaders faced severe difficulties.

The prior owners declared they would cease funding the Colwyn Bay side that had captured the League One crown only months before.

Players went unpaid for weeks and once contracts ended they departed, forcing two fixtures to be scrapped.

Supporters and volunteers stepped in and a fresh entity, NW Rugby League 26 Ltd, arose and received an interim license from the Rugby Football League.

Long, who led the women's and development sides, had mere days to assemble players for the trip to Goole Vikings on 9 May.

"We contacted many reliable contacts, player agents, and I recruited some from the amateur ranks," said Long.

"We lost by a wide margin, but the result mattered little."

Crusaders fell 80-0 that day, shipping 15 tries.

"I have never left a match after such a heavy defeat yet felt victorious," he noted.

"One day I will reflect and perhaps pen a few pages on this unusual episode."

Former owner Jamie Elkaleh, now back as chairman, shares that view.

"Supporters have endured a turbulent period recently," he remarked.

"There are troubling accounts of kit vanishing, payments made without return, and frankly uncertainty over whether a team would even exist to follow."

Elkaleh conceded the club stood hours from folding.

"That was the reality. We had hours to decide," he continued.

"Would we launch a new company? Assemble a fresh squad? Meet upcoming fixtures?"

"We took the risk and said yes, and so far it has worked."

"Hard work has brought us here, yet the road ahead remains steep."

Crusaders hosted Salford in their first home outing under new leadership, a club also versed in financial strain.

Over 900 supporters attended at Eirias Stadium where the club created a family atmosphere it hopes to expand.

Salford prevailed 86-0 on the field, and the record loss to Broncos followed a week later.

Still, everyone linked to Crusaders feels thankful the club possesses a path forward.

"Scores alone do not capture what I witness," said Long, now head of rugby after Mike Grady resumed head coach duties.

"Behind the scenes, away from cameras and observers, progress continues."

"A committed group fills the dressing room and they are eager to improve."

Dubai-based Elkaleh first took majority ownership in June 2024 before passing control to The EggChaser Group later that year.

Back in the fold, Elkaleh remains optimistic of better days ahead despite on-field and off-field setbacks.

He recognizes trust must be restored.

"Our current position stems from volunteers uniting, spotting the crisis, and crafting a plan for the new company to sustain rugby in north Wales," he said.

"We aim to lay a firm foundation rooted in trust and restore rugby league's standing in Wales, which needs repair."

"Significant effort lies ahead."

A visit to Whitehaven next Saturday precedes a home clash on 21 June versus Halifax Panthers, a club that also faced extinction after liquidation last February over unpaid taxes.

Further heavy losses may occur, yet each weekend Crusaders fulfill a fixture marks a small triumph for the sport in north Wales.