EssexRL

This is really poor. I thought the club had a plan for stepping down and potentially rebuilding - hence the fundraising. Clearly not.

I have just noticed that London Skolars scheduled match tomorrow against Eastern Rhinos has been postponed. I don't know why but I wondered whether this is again due to their inability to field a team (there may be other reasons, of course). Whatever the reason it made me think about how 5-6 years ago there was a sense of optimism about Skolars future and Broncos were doing alright at Ealing. If someone then had asked me to bring them along to a RL game I would have happily taking them to either and reckon they would have had an alright day. Skolars have now disappeared (pretty much) and Broncos really are struggling to perform any where near a competitive standard (and I can imagine the match day experience isn't great at PL) so other than a scattering of amateur clubs and some (great) WC RL teams near London like Gravesend, the realistic conclusion is that RL is pretty much dead in London and unless someone drops in with a huge bag of money (very unlikely) it will remain that way for a long time.

The game against Bedford was closer but yes it is sad and it is very hard to see how there could be any realistic route back into higher levels. I have to say, on a personal level, I and my son have gone from someone who avidly followed the game a few years ago to someone who now occasionally watches a game on the BBC. All my attempts to follow a RL club in London have not been a very joyful experience. It is such a shame the powers that be cannot help RL have some sustainable and realistic presence in the capital that is a drama.

Skolars 6 Newcastle 66 We'd moved to Enfield FC's ground whilst New River's new pitch was being laid, which was a bit of a pain to get too and that afternoon it poured and poured with rain and it was cold and there were about 200 people there (including 20 or so Newcastle fans who did the congo around the ground). My son and I retired to the bar when they hit 40, only to be cornered by a RL fanatic who just had to tell us for for what seemed like for ever, everything that was wrong with the game and what he would do to put it right.

Although London Skolars is my team, I am looking for a second team in the pro/semi pro leagues. Not minded to follow Broncos given their behaviour towards us in recent years and frankly shaky future prospects. So I need a new team….

Saturday night in London. My one year old grandson’s birthday. Watched the game with family (some of whom watched the RU international). Everyone loved the game. Skill, physicality, tension.

I thought they do make some (they certainly would t run it if it lost money) and I am pretty sure sponsorship has resulted from it.

...that exactly.

PS. Really like the new strip too!

Good to hear the crowd held up and I gather the hospitality sold out so will give the club. Although I couldn't go, due to work, it was nice to get an email from the club with an e-version of the programme. Hopefully this marks the beginning of the rebuilding of the club back into the semi pro league.

This is really good news for the sport (and me personally as I don't have Sky).

Pleased to see this back although as ever tricky for me to get to as it is (understandably) during the working day.

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this game. Good commentary. Good referring. Excellent competition.

I’m no expert but actually becoming an owner might bring with it tax and other legal issues. Maybe a better idea would be to set up a fund that overseas clubs could bid for. if you want to own a club I’m sure there are a few in the Uk who would be interested!

A post from Twitter today that shows the work the club is still doing raising the profile of the game which the funding will help continue- Islington primary Tag Rugby League festival,played a stones throw from Kings Cross Lndn,120 players Supported by 5 Skolars staff and expert advice given to players/teachers. Challenge Cup on display and the kids loved having photos taken with it.