The Wrexham-based club announced it didn’t have the money to survive in England’s top flight.
It remains to be seen if the Crusaders would play out the current season, with many players revealing they were owed money.
Former England centre Keith Senior was the most outspoken on the social network.
Senior tweeted: “Crusaders have just f***** me over what a b*****d joke, excuse my language I'm absolutely furious”, soon after the decision was announced.
Australian-born centre Rhys Hanbury tweeted: “I was thinking it was a bit weird signing my 3 yr deal on toilet paper #rubbish”.
Former Penrith utility Jarrod Sammut called on the club’s fans to abandon ship and support rival outfits.
“@rhyshanbury: Thanks for all the support from the fans. Do yourselves a favour and go support a different team. This club is #rubbish”.
“Wots the sentence worth these days for murder?? The ppl runin this club hav hell to pay! So gutted for the loyal n faithful cru fans!”
Former Manly prop Mark Bryant alleged players were owed payments.
“The owners did not even have the backbone to come and speak to the players about why they withdrew their application... #gutless.
“@NRLTweet Not only are some guys contracts void but some of us are owed alot money!”
Mark Lennon – who also played with Bryant at Manly – backed up the prop’s claims.
“@therealsteavis @CrusadersRugbyL have owed players including myself large sums of money since 2009 season!! The rfl is a joke!!”
Other Australians at the embattled club include Adam Peek, Clinton Schifcofske, Lincoln Withers, Tony Martin, Michael Witt and Ryan O’Hara.
The Crusaders have five games left in the 2011 season, starting with a visit to Wakefield on July 31.
Club chief executive Rod Findlay said: “This has not been an easy decision but after a lengthy and exhaustive examination of the club's finances, our view is that Crusaders is not sustainable as a Super League club at this stage.”
The decision clears the way for Wakefield Trinity to remain in the Super League.
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