London Broncos (Merged Threads)

[Londonbornirishbred]

11 hours ago, Toby Chopra said:

Seems a bit late in the day for a major squad infusion, most players are now tied up surely, incl in Oz? Even if the deal goes through soon, it'll likely be a patch and mend season of loan and castoffs, with the real change coming in 2026.

As someone who was SCREAMING that the current situation at London was always on the cards under the "guidance" of Mr Hughes, I can honestly say, survival this year, be that survival which includes dropping down to the third tier come September, would be a bonus. All I want, is someone who understands that a Rugby club isn't all about results on the park, or the owners misguided belief that "everyone will love our game once they see it"
London are at Ground Zero now. They have risen from the ashes before and will do so again, but my fear is that we get another well-meaning owner who hasn't a clue what to do and who will throw money at the wrong areas and get the wrong (but wholly expected) returns.

In layman's terms. The hardcore London Broncos supporters would be considered by most Londoners as "Trainspotters" but what the club need is them to be seen as "Swifties" and that transformation isn't going to come cheap.

[londonbronco]

 

57 minutes ago, Londonbornirishbred said:

As someone who was SCREAMING that the current situation at London was always on the cards under the "guidance" of Mr Hughes, I can honestly say, survival this year, be that survival which includes dropping down to the third tier come September, would be a bonus. All I want, is someone who understands that a Rugby club isn't all about results on the park, or the owners misguided belief that "everyone will love our game once they see it"
London are at Ground Zero now. They have risen from the ashes before and will do so again, but my fear is that we get another well-meaning owner who hasn't a clue what to do and who will throw money at the wrong areas and get the wrong (but wholly expected) returns.

In layman's terms. The hardcore London Broncos supporters would be considered by most Londoners as "Trainspotters" but what the club need is them to be seen as "Swifties" and that transformation isn't going to come cheap.

Exactly! The die-hard London Broncos fans are seen as a niche, almost like rugby league anoraks in a city that barely knows the sport exists. But for the club to grow, they need to shift that perception so Broncos fans are seen more like Swifties - loud, proud, and part of something exciting and mainstream.  It needs to be relevant - something that people want to be part of, not just stumble across. That kind of transformation - turning a small, dedicated following into a full-blown cultural movement takes a serious investment in marketing, match day experience, and community engagement. It’s not just about winning games; it’s about making the club feel like the place to be.

[Ivarr the Boneless]

It's also partially down to the fans. In my twenty years as a season ticket holder, I far too often came across fans who treated Broncos as their own little kingdom. All too often they made no attempt to welcome or help newcomers, and in some instances were often hostile to them for not being ardent fans.

A special mention for the very prominent fan, who on a day I had brought something like 14 first timers along, turned round mid-match and had a long rant at one of them for daring to mention football to one of their friends. Strangely enough very few of them ever came back.

[Archie Gordon]

1 hour ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

It's also partially down to the fans. In my twenty years as a season ticket holder, I far too often came across fans who treated Broncos as their own little kingdom. All too often they made no attempt to welcome or help newcomers, and in some instances were often hostile to them for not being ardent fans.

A special mention for the very prominent fan, who on a day I had brought something like 14 first timers along, turned round mid-match and had a long rant at one of them for daring to mention football to one of their friends. Strangely enough very few of them ever came back.

Haha - exactly this! Some of their fans think they are minor celebrities because they are famous among the 20 or so left. But they don't seem to wonder why there are only 20 left.

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

I’ve got ten coming with me next week- all but two are first timers so .

[fighting irish]

2 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Haha - exactly this! Some of their fans think they are minor celebrities because they are famous among the 20 or so left. But they don't seem to wonder why there are only 20 left.

Sh ite houses.

[Click]

4 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Haha - exactly this! Some of their fans think they are minor celebrities because they are famous among the 20 or so left. But they don't seem to wonder why there are only 20 left.

You guys have a very different impression to the impression I have had of  fellow London fans over the last 20 + years.

[Ivarr the Boneless]

My favourite was at St Helens. We were in colours and were asked to move out out of the way whilst another fan took a photo of the three Broncos fans next to us. We did so quite happily. Imagine our surprise when the photo appeared in the next Broncos programme with the caption "the Broncos fans at Saints"...

To be fair it was always a minority but a worryingly visible minority, who seemed quite happy to have a small club if they could be mates with the players, and weren't exactly welcoming to people trying to get their heads around a new sport. Many of the Broncos fans were lovely people. I remain in touch with some.

I'm an occasional visitor now and haven't seen most of the biggest offenders for a while. Hopefully the worst of the culture is changing.

[The Phantom Horseman]

I hope this is simply an example of appalling "journalism", but TotalRL are running with this headline:
https://www.totalrl.com/london-broncos-takeover-in-serious-doubt-in-potential-crippling-blow-for-championship-club/

The first line of this report reads:
THE proposed takeover of London Broncos is in serious doubt in what could potentially be a crippling blow for the Championship club.

However, the report goes on to cite this City Am report;
https://www.cityam.com/ahead-of-the-game-six-nations-tv-rights-tender-hit-by-delay/

The full text of that City Am report:

London Broncos future hanging in balance

London Broncos’ ownership remains in serious doubt ahead of the start of their Championship campaign, which begins with a trip to face Bradford Bulls at Odsal on Sunday.

NRL side Brisbane Broncos have held talks about buying into London in a deal brokered by Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington and the chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’Landys. But Brisbane Broncos board members are understood to have expressed doubts after news of the negotiations was reported last month. 

Several other Australian sides are currently being sounded out to replace the Brisbane Broncos, while the NRL may also come on board as a minority investor.

Now I might be wrong here, but this just sounds like City AM have rehashed some very old news - ie the Brisbane Broncos interest - and Callum Walker has breathlessly repeated it as if it's a sudden massive negative development in the story.

Can somebody please tell me if I've got this wrong?

Edited February 12 by The Phantom Horseman

[Barley Mow]

4 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

I hope this is simply an example of appalling "journalism", but TotalRL are running with this headline:
https://www.totalrl.com/london-broncos-takeover-in-serious-doubt-in-potential-crippling-blow-for-championship-club/

The first line of this report reads:
THE proposed takeover of London Broncos is in serious doubt in what could potentially be a crippling blow for the Championship club.

However, the report goes on to cite this City Am report;
https://www.cityam.com/ahead-of-the-game-six-nations-tv-rights-tender-hit-by-delay/

The full text of that City Am report:

London Broncos future hanging in balance

London Broncos’ ownership remains in serious doubt ahead of the start of their Championship campaign, which begins with a trip to face Bradford Bulls at Odsal on Sunday.

NRL side Brisbane Broncos have held talks about buying into London in a deal brokered by Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington and the chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’Landys. But Brisbane Broncos board members are understood to have expressed doubts after news of the negotiations was reported last month. 

Several other Australian sides are currently being sounded out to replace the Brisbane Broncos, while the NRL may also come on board as a minority investor.

Now I might be wrong here, but this just sounds like City AM have rehashed some very old news - ie the Brisbane Broncos interest - and Callum Walker has breathlessly repeated it as if it's a sudden massive negative development in the story.

Can somebody please tell me if I've got this wrong?

I read that earlier and thought the same as you - TRL are reporting an article which just reports something they themselves have already reported weeks ago. i.e. Brisbane Broncos won't be buying London Broncos.

[Archie Gordon]

It actually sounds a bit more positive as the NRL itself being interested in taking a small holding is new (to me anyway).

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 minute ago, Archie Gordon said:

It actually sounds a bit more positive as the NRL itself being interested in taking a small holding is new (to me anyway).

I think you have more faith in that City AM being a "new" story than I do.

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

 

[Londonbornirishbred]

On 12/02/2025 at 21:00, Archie Gordon said:

Haha - exactly this! Some of their fans think they are minor celebrities because they are famous among the 20 or so left. But they don't seem to wonder why there are only 20 left.

In about 2002, I remember a group of fans, from all over the region, making the effort to get to Brentford on a Thursday to door drop a few thousand letterboxes for that weekends game. 

Fast forward to 2023 and after the club created their own "official supporters group" in direct contrast and obviously as a snub to the existing LBSA who sponsored the academy, they asked for help in promotion and marketing as well as matchday help.....they got nobody.

The 20 or so fans who attended the Season Launch event are diciples of St David of Swinton and are a huge part of a problem when it comes to attracting new fans. They think they are the "ultras" because they "belong", without realising how daft they are. Trainspotters....fanatical but unaware of reality.

[EssexRL]

I have to say I never felt there was a clique at Skolars and from the start always felt welcome as did people I bought. I guess with the collapse of RL in London there is a danger what is left turns in to a cult. 

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

Another one joining my group next week - from Florida originally. 

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

Not Broncos related but today a group of year ten lads came to me and asked me to start coaching them in rugby (sic) after some had seen Wigan and Leigh game last night. We start a week on Wednesday after half term holiday.

[JM2010]

1 hour ago, Pen-Y-Bont Crusader said:

Not Broncos related but today a group of year ten lads came to me and asked me to start coaching them in rugby (sic) after some had seen Wigan and Leigh game last night. We start a week on Wednesday after half term holiday.

Absolutely brilliant. If the game can be promoted well and reach out to younger fans then the product sells itself 

[fighting irish]

11 hours ago, Pen-Y-Bont Crusader said:

Not Broncos related but today a group of year ten lads came to me and asked me to start coaching them in rugby (sic) after some had seen Wigan and Leigh game last night. We start a week on Wednesday after half term holiday.

Great news. Good luck with them. Please let us know how you get on? 

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

Good effort from what my best mate at the game said (Bulls fan). Reckons on this showing Broncos will easily be top half .

[Londonbornirishbred]

4 hours ago, Pen-Y-Bont Crusader said:

Good effort from what my best mate at the game said (Bulls fan). Reckons on this showing Broncos will easily be top half .

We need a fair bit of luck on the injury front, but when I woke up earlier and as has been my habit since 2010, reached for my mobile looking for the Broncos result, I was expecting a hammering. I genuinely think Mike Eccles could turn water into wine the way he gets results out of the team. 

[Henson Park Old Firm]

So is anyone buying the club or has that horse already bolted?

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

15 minutes ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

So is anyone buying the club or has that horse already bolted?

Still radio silence.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

20 minutes ago, Pen-Y-Bont Crusader said:

Still radio silence.

Typical.

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

11 minutes ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

Typical.

Tbf you have to Remember the club is effectively Mike Eccles and one or two other staff members aside the players.