London Broncos (Merged Threads)

[dealwithit]

On 15/04/2025 at 16:19, Coggo said:

Does the embassy shut down then? I rather doubt it.

More likely is whatever deal is to be announced is not done yet. 

It’s not that the embassy shuts down. It’s that any public / official events involving dignitaries won’t happen during caretaker period. Speaking as a seasoned Australian public servant. 
It makes sense that event will now happen after the election. 

Edited April 21 by dealwithit

[OriginalMrC]

On 17/04/2025 at 21:13, londonbronco said:

And this is where things get complicated (all tongue in cheek of course!!!).  But what if it’s all true??!!

THE ECCLES FILES: PROJECT YORKSHIRE, NRL INCURSIONS & THE TRUMPET OF PATRIOTS

Let’s start at the top. There’s been increasing chatter, mostly written off as media noise, about the NRL’s intentions for London. Wild speculation, they say. But what if it’s not just speculation? What if the reason key players — NRL brass, certain Super League power brokers — are staying so quiet isn’t discretion, but damage control? What if discussions are already well advanced, and someone, somewhere, decided Eccles didn’t need to be in the room anymore?

Reports (all unverified, naturally) suggest Eccles accessed a restricted folder on the club laptop. “PROJECT YORKSHIRE: PHASE TWO.” Inside, apparently, were tactical plans for a soft cultural takeover of London rugby league. Pontefract player pipelines. Reverse ten-year loans. A flatcap megastore to anchor Garratt Lane in nostalgic Northern authenticity. Eccles saw too much. And then — poof — he’s gone.

But there’s a bigger piece on the board: Gary Hetherington. Officially, he’s “helping out.” Unofficially, he’s everywhere. The corridors, the dugouts, the boardroom. Always calm. Always Leeds. Always just a bit too helpful. The whispers say he’s consolidating control with a plan to rebrand the Broncos not as London’s club, but as Yorkshire’s capital-in-exile.

And here’s where it gets properly cooked.

Matt Adamson — yes, that Matt Adamson — has resurfaced in Australia, linked to the latest reincarnation of Clive Palmer’s political dream machine, now calling itself the Trumpet of Patriots Party. A federal election looms on 3rd May, and sources suggest that timelines for “Project Yorkshire” were hastily adjusted so as not to interfere with Adamson’s campaign. A man known for towering line breaks is now pushing a federal platform built on sovereignty, crypto, and perhaps an NRL London franchise powered by subterranean flat whites and retrofitted Bondi double-deckers.

Which explains why the originally mooted launch around mid-April has gone strangely quiet. All the key players are otherwise occupied — some in campaign war rooms, some in covert board meetings, and one possibly living under an assumed identity somewhere behind the AFC Wimbledon hospitality marquee.

All of this, of course, is unproven.

No doubt there will be an 'official' London Broncos statement about this soon.... 

This will almost certainly be quoted as fact in certain RL publications who love a bit of click bait 

[londonbronco]

6 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

This will almost certainly be quoted as fact in certain RL publications who love a bit of click bait 

Yep, but it seems to have been taken down, but...

Quote

 

BBC Sport can reveal: “Project Yorkshire” rumoured to reshape London Broncos as cultural annexe of the North

What began as whispers on a rugby league fans forum has now found its way into certain rugby league publications with a noted appetite for creative speculation. According to multiple unverified reports, a covert initiative titled “Project Yorkshire” may be in motion, with the London Broncos, oddly enough, at its epicentre.

The plan, such as it has been described, involves a long-term cultural realignment of the capital’s rugby league identity. Details are, of course, patchy and occasionally absurd — but include proposals for ten-year reverse loans from West Yorkshire, a Pontefract academy link-up, and the establishment of a flatcap megastore on Garratt Lane designed to instil a sense of “traditional Northern values” in a part of London better known for oat milk and artisan focaccia.

Mike Eccles, the club’s Director of Rugby, remains in post but has not commented. Some have suggested he stumbled across the plan via a folder left open on the club’s shared laptop, though it’s unclear why said folder was titled “PROJECT YORKSHIRE: PHASE TWO” in 28pt Comic Sans. Eccles has not responded to requests for clarification.

Meanwhile, Gary Hetherington’s presence at the Cherry Red Records Stadium has raised more than a few eyebrows. Officially assisting in a mentoring role, Hetherington has reportedly been seen near strategic whiteboards, in shadowy corridors, and — at one point — emerging from a cupboard marked “BRONCOS DNA.” Allegations that he has referred to Wimbledon as “Northern Tooting” remain unconfirmed.

Further confusion comes from the reappearance of former Leeds and NRL man Matt Adamson, now linked to the “Trumpet of Patriots” party ahead of Australia’s federal election. The party’s platform is said to include regional sovereignty, digital tokens, and baffling support for an NRL expansion franchise in London powered by repurposed Bondi buses and espresso shot innovation hubs.  None of this, it must be stressed, has been verified.

More as we make it up—sorry, as it develops.

 

 

Edited April 21 by londonbronco

[THE RED ROOSTER]

15 minutes ago, londonbronco said:

Yep.  Seems to have been taken down but...

 

Hmmm ---Just about Matt Adamson's political career https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ojw0fmmO24

and just to fuel speculation, he is currently in Auistralia (source The Mole) and is a player agent for Titan Sports Management. https://titansm.com.au/titan-team/

and here is The Mole original scoop super-league-broncos-matt-adamson-gary-hetherington-exclusive

and yes, news about London's future is a bit like salome's dance. 

All will be revealed in the next few weeks. 

[londonbronco]

Here’s the latest news from the Broncos, which has disappeared from their website….

CLUB STATEMENT: RESPONSE TO “THE ECCLES FILES: PROJECT YORKSHIRE”

The London Broncos are aware of recent speculation, now being quoted as fact in certain rugby league publications, relating to “The Eccles Files: Project Yorkshire, NRL Incursions & The Trumpet of Patriots.”

Let’s be clear: Mike Eccles has not left the club. He has not accessed a restricted laptop folder titled “PROJECT YORKSHIRE: PHASE TWO.” He has not been spirited away to a safehouse in New Malden, nor is he sending messages via coded Instagram Stories.

Eccles remains our Director of Rugby and Head Coach, and — despite what some “reports” would have you believe he has not been replaced by a think tank led by a brass band conductor from Featherstone and a holographic version of Garry Schofield.

Gary Hetherington, meanwhile, has indeed provided advice in a consultancy role. But rumours that he’s “everywhere,” slowly replacing the upholstery in the boardroom with Rhubarb and Custard tartan, are wide of the mark. He is not, to our knowledge, whispering strategies through the vents or laying out five-year plans using only Yorkshire Tea bags and knowing glances.

Claims of Pontefract pipeline academies being installed in Roehampton, or ten-year reverse-loan schemes where players are sent back in time via the District Line, are similarly unsubstantiated. We’ve checked. Twice.

There is no “Flatcap Megastore” planned for Garratt Lane. There is no embedded Batley brass band conducting subterranean culture operations. And we remain firmly committed to our identity as London’s club, not “Yorkshire’s capital-in-exile,” no matter how many podcasters say otherwise.

As for Matt Adamson’s alleged role in launching a political party with policies involving crypto, national sovereignty, and an NRL-backed London franchise powered by subterranean flat whites, we wish him well. But any attempts to link this to our home game scheduling or mid-season recruitment strategy are, quite frankly, tenuous at best.

In short: rugby league in London doesn’t need cloak-and-dagger nonsense to be interesting. We’ve got the story. We’ve got the community. We’ve got the grit. And we don’t need secret folders, psychic wombats, or Gary Hetherington disguised as a steward to give us purpose.

See you at Plough Lane.

– ENDS –

[Adelaide Tiger]

On 21/04/2025 at 21:22, dealwithit said:

It’s not that the embassy shuts down. It’s that any public / official events involving dignitaries won’t happen during caretaker period. Speaking as a seasoned Australian public servant. 
It makes sense that event will now happen after the election. 

Yep, just like back in the UK.  When I worked in Local Govt I could not name or provide a quote attributed to a Local Councillor or MP when issuing a Project update to the local press in the run up to Local or National Elections.

[Angelus]

According to Steve Mascord on X, West Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has doubts about London's potential takeover.

Whether they (whoever "they" are) actually have the funds required and fears it may lead to another Salford situation. 

True or not, it's not news you want to hear! 

[Gomersall]

 

[THE RED ROOSTER]

22 hours ago, Angelus said:

According to Steve Mascord on X, West Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has doubts about London's potential takeover.

Whether they (whoever "they" are) actually have the funds required and fears it may lead to another Salford situation. 

True or not, it's not news you want to hear! 

Not quite what he said, he said that London.s application for the two spots available in NRL Europe depends on having a solid business plan.

Regardless of whether or not, there is an NRL Europe, the presence of a valid business plan to generate sufficient funding is an essential pre-requisite.

That's a point I and others, have been making on this thread.ad infinitum.

I am still cautiously optimistic about thie takeover until I see concrete evidence otherwise

 

[Angelus]

3 hours ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Not quite what he said, he said that London.s application for the two spots available in NRL Europe depends on having a solid business plan.

Regardless of whether or not, there is an NRL Europe, the presence of a valid business plan to generate sufficient funding is an essential pre-requisite.

That's a point I and others, have been making on this thread.ad infinitum.

I am still cautiously optimistic about thie takeover until I see concrete evidence otherwise

 

If you look at his post and subsequent replies, he said almost word for word what I stated. 

Although he does appear to have made slightly negative comments with regards to London lately, so hopefully they are wide of the mark.

Some clarity on the whole situation is needed.

Hopefully, only a couple more weeks to wait.....

Edited April 25 by Angelus

[THE RED ROOSTER]

3 hours ago, Angelus said:

If you look at his post and subsequent replies, he said almost word for word what I stated. 

Although he does appear to have made slightly negative comments with regards to London lately, so hopefully they are wide of the mark.

Some clarity on the whole situation is needed.

Hopefully, only a couple more weeks to wait.....

By "he" I meant Shane Richardson rather than Mascord. I  am going on what was said to James Graham not Mascord's personal interpretation. Two weeks ago in his midweek podcast with The Mole, Tony Adams, The Mole promised to speak to Matt Adamson to try try to find out what was goinbg on. There has been no comment since  which actually may be a positive thing.

I agree with you that there needs to be a bit more clarity on this, rather than stories surfacing in Australasia about alleged London Broncos interest in players that on closer investigation turn put to be "wide of the mark".

Mascord has been pushing an agenda on the subject of NRL Europe, one of his many agenda's he pushes on X, but it could be he knows no more than you or I on this.

 

[fighting irish]

I wonder when we are going to get some real news instead of this endless speculation and gossip?

[Archie Gordon]

20 minutes ago, fighting irish said:

I wonder when we are going to get some real news instead of this endless speculation and gossip?

21 May.

[Angelus]

16 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

21 May.

Is that confirmed? 

Australia House?

 

What's another 3 weeks when we've waited over half a year! 

[Archie Gordon]

1 hour ago, Angelus said:

Is that confirmed? 

Australia House?

 

What's another 3 weeks when we've waited over half a year! 

I wish I could reveal more but I honestly don't know any detail at all, just the date. As previously reported, news is expected to cover the whole of the London RL landscape as well as the Broncos. I have no idea what that means. The wait is frustrating but something is happening.

[EssexRL]

20 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

I wish I could reveal more but I honestly don't know any detail at all, just the date. As previously reported, news is expected to cover the whole of the London RL landscape as well as the Broncos. I have no idea what that means. The wait is frustrating but something is happening.

I have to say having experienced two bouts of speculation about the takeover of London Skolars which eventually came to nothing despite a fair bit of noise, I will wait and see, but hope this does lead to something tangible and positive.

Do other sports experience weird endless and slightly surreal speculation about developments (actually I know the answer to that  I support Reading FC. That has been a somewhat existential experience in recent years). 

[Jeff Stein]

7 minutes ago, EssexRL said:

I have to say having experienced two bouts of speculation about the takeover of London Skolars which eventually came to nothing despite a fair bit of noise, I will wait and see, but hope this does lead to something tangible and positive.

Do other sports experience weird endless and slightly surreal speculation about developments (actually I know the answer to that  I support Reading FC. That has been a somewhat existential experience in recent years). 

There has been an endless number of Walter Mitty characters trying to involve themselves in rugby league both amateur and professional in London and the south east over the 40 years I have been watching. I believe nothing until it happens.

[fighting irish]

18 hours ago, EssexRL said:

I have to say having experienced two bouts of speculation about the takeover of London Skolars which eventually came to nothing despite a fair bit of noise, I will wait and see, but hope this does lead to something tangible and positive.

Do other sports experience weird endless and slightly surreal speculation about developments (actually I know the answer to that  I support Reading FC. That has been a somewhat existential experience in recent years). 

I'm getting fed up of the endless speculation without any confirmation.

I'm going to tune out until something happens.

If you don't mind, tip me off when you hear some real news?

[Henson Park Old Firm]

6 minutes ago, fighting irish said:

I'm getting fed up of the endless speculation without any confirmation.

I'm going to tune out until something happens.

If you don't mind, tip me off when you hear some real news?

You'll be back.

[The Future is League]

On 25/04/2025 at 19:35, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Not quite what he said, he said that London.s application for the two spots available in NRL Europe depends on having a solid business plan.

Regardless of whether or not, there is an NRL Europe, the presence of a valid business plan to generate sufficient funding is an essential pre-requisite.

That's a point I and others, have been making on this thread.ad infinitum.

I am still cautiously optimistic about thie takeover until I see concrete evidence otherwise

 

Shane Richardson should be concerning himself what's happening at West Tigers than worry what's happening at London Broncos.

[The 4 of Us]

22 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

I wish I could reveal more but I honestly don't know any detail at all, just the date. As previously reported, news is expected to cover the whole of the London RL landscape as well as the Broncos. I have no idea what that means. The wait is frustrating but something is happening.

Hopefully not just an announcement of an official match day leg rub supplier! 

[Gomersall]

 

[Archie Gordon]

Just now, Gomersall said:

 

Another reason to reconsider the use of AFCW.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

3 hours ago, The Future is League said:

Shane Richardson should be concerning himself what's happening at West Tigers than worry what's happening at London Broncos.

He is not in Australia at present - UK bound maybe ?

It's a positive that the title of the takeover anouncement is the London Broncos and the future of rugby league in London because if you believe everything coming out of Australia then while NRL clubs might not be buying clubs (unless they get their way on NRL Europe) they are interested in funding junior pathways to suppliment their ranks with the expansion of the NRL.

Two advantages of London 

Firstly, there is no sizable fanbase to agitate, if you change the name and venue.

Secondly, London is a vast untapped pool of talent and unlike venues in the north you will not face opposition for fishing in the same pool as existing Rugby League clubs.

I am still optimistic about the prospects of a takeover even though it is all a bit cloak and dagger at present.

It also does not follow that London would be immediately in any NRL Europe. If you listened to Richardson's bluster clubs will be added to any NRL Europe venture and London would be a lot more likely candidate than New York. Remember you do not just build a team but also the infrastructure to support that team ff the field and grow revenue. 

I note the move of the Sheffield game which is easier and cheaper for me to attend at Rosslyn Park even if nowhere near a proper venue for any professional sport.

[r1ch1e]

On 29/04/2025 at 12:55, Archie Gordon said:

21 May.

To add, on the most recent ShowMeTheMoney show, Gledhill didn't state the exact date, but did say media have been invited down to London for an event in May by Hetherington.