[3] After speedway was given the green light, the team known as the Crusaders were founder members of British League Division Two.

[6] In their inaugural season the team, led by Peter Murray and Barry Crowson, won the Knockout Cup, defeating Reading Racers in the final.

[11] Barney Kennett, Steve Koppe and Les Rumsey were brought in during this period and helped the Crusaders recover to consecutive 4th places.

In 1977, the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the Kingsmead track open after complaints of noise from local residents.

[17][18] The final Crusaders fixture took place at Kingsmead on 31 October 1987, when Canterbury defeated Rye House Rockets 49–29 in the second leg of the Kent/Herts Trophy.