London Broncos (Merged Threads)

[Angelus]

1 hour ago, Coggo said:

I take it they/the NRL want to tap into the London player pool to boost their competitiveness in the long term. Positive but not necessarily a bright new dawn for London?

More than likely yes, that would be part of the plan in the long term.

But in the short to medium term, it can only be good news for London imo.

Starting with players coming over here asap.... Hopefully! 

[Angelus]

2 minutes ago, 17 stone giant said:

If that happened would it mean a name change to London Dolphins? Or would they be happy for the Broncos name to continue?

Initial reports when news broke of NRL involvement, was that it would be a 'rebrand'.

Whether that's still the case remains to be seen. 

[Ivarr the Boneless]

There's a strong argument for a rebrand.

Infamously a study suggested most people in London thought London Broncos played American Football.

Sadly the suffix is also now pretty toxic to many of the minority of southern based people who follow RL.

The symbolism of changing name, to break with the past, may well appeal to any new owners / investors irrespective of any desire to use a corporate brand they may own elsewhere.

 

[tiffers]

3 hours ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

There's a strong argument for a rebrand.

Infamously a study suggested most people in London thought London Broncos played American Football.

Sadly the suffix is also now pretty toxic to many of the minority of southern based people who follow RL.

The symbolism of changing name, to break with the past, may well appeal to any new owners / investors irrespective of any desire to use a corporate brand they may own elsewhere.

 

I'd agree, I think it gives you a solid refresh and signifies a new dawn with more optimism. There's not exactly strong brand equity with the Broncos. That study says everything when it comes to awareness (lack of) them even existing on the radar for most.

[The Future is League]

14 hours ago, Coggo said:

I take it they/the NRL want to tap into the London player pool to boost their competitiveness in the long term. Positive but not necessarily a bright new dawn for London?

They would be fools not to if we're honest.

With a population of around 9 million there will be many athletic school kids and teenagers among that population out there who would make very good Rugby League players given the opportunity.

[EssexRL]

6 hours ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

There's a strong argument for a rebrand.

Infamously a study suggested most people in London thought London Broncos played American Football.

Sadly the suffix is also now pretty toxic to many of the minority of southern based people who follow RL.

The symbolism of changing name, to break with the past, may well appeal to any new owners / investors irrespective of any desire to use a corporate brand they may own elsewhere.

 

Agree. This has to be about 'new' and 'exciting'. We need to represent RL to Londoners as something that should be interesting to them and worth watching. 

[SinBinSid]

5 hours ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

Infamously a study suggested most people in London thought London Broncos played American Football.

 

While the anecdote about Londoners mistaking the London Broncos for an American football team does the rounds in media and fan chat, it seems to be more of a tongue-in-cheek urban myth than anything grounded in formal research. Unless someone can dig out a link, there’s no record of any academic or commissioned study ever being cited to back it up. Just a well-worn quip that speaks volumes about rugby league’s invisibility in the capital. That said, I’m fully on board with the name change.

[Deadcowboys1]

Frankly a rebrand would be bonkers. Such success the club has had, has been as Broncos. In any event we've had 5 rebrands since 1980 & I can't see a 6th would add anything better, although of course Hughes won't be around to screw it up. 

Edited May 14 by Deadcowboys1

[Henson Park Old Firm]

2 hours ago, Deadcowboys1 said:

Frankly a rebrand would be bonkers. Such success the club has had, has been as Broncos. In any event we've had 5 rebrands since 1980 & I can't see a 6th would add anything better, although of course Hughes won't be around to screw it up. 

Pretty much... If the wanted a rebrand they would be better of starting a club from scratch. They need to except it that it's London Broncos.

[DEANO]

24 minutes ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

Pretty much... If the wanted a rebrand they would be better of starting a club from scratch. They need to except it that it's London Broncos.

Nah. Fulham will do it

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

First set of Year 7 and 8 lads came to training tonight. Shows how far the year nine lads have come who were there as they were really annoyed at how poor the new lads were compared to their skills…..Gutted that just last week there was the S London comp for year 8 and another one today for year 7 ..they will be weeks/months rom being ready but hope to get a game in by end of summer term.

Edited May 14 by Pen-Y-Bont Crusader

[Ivarr the Boneless]

18 hours ago, SinBinSid said:

 

 

While the anecdote about Londoners mistaking the London Broncos for an American football team does the rounds in media and fan chat, it seems to be more of a tongue-in-cheek urban myth than anything grounded in formal research. Unless someone can dig out a link, there’s no record of any academic or commissioned study ever being cited to back it up. Just a well-worn quip that speaks volumes about rugby league’s invisibility in the capital. That said, I’m fully on board with the name change.

I heard one of the club officials refer to it many years ago whist addressing the fans at a Q&A. I'm afraid I can't remember who but it's the sort of stuff Ian Lenegan was, very open on. I  suspect it may have been him in the aftermath of the Quins rebrand?

I also seem to recall it was a club commissioned study, but must say I'm not 100% confident on that. It seems an odd detail to remember all these years on, so may have read that element third hand.

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

On 14/05/2025 at 22:41, Pen-Y-Bont Crusader said:

First set of Year 7 and 8 lads came to training tonight. Shows how far the year nine lads have come who were there as they were really annoyed at how poor the new lads were compared to their skills…..Gutted that just last week there was the S London comp for year 8 and another one today for year 7 ..they will be weeks/months rom being ready but hope to get a game in by end of summer term.

Now due to pupil requests it’s 3 sessions a week .

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

Does anyone know where I can get a kit with a regularly quick turn around - approx 3 weeks ? 

[Angelus]

Great having Ethan Natoli back until the end of the year at least.

Maybe they'll be one or two more now that the French season has nearly ended and funds start to come through?!

Edited May 16 by Angelus

[Click]

4 hours ago, Angelus said:

Great having Ethan Natoli back until the end of the year at least.

Maybe they'll be one or two more now that the French season has nearly ended and funds start to come through?!

We've always got a few from the French league when their season ends, so hopefully we will get a few coming over for the rest of the season.

[Tommygilf]

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

Does anyone know where I can get a kit with a regularly quick turn around - approx 3 weeks ? 

Off the top of my head I'd try Akuma, Ravensport, Samurai and maybe even Oxen they do a lot of amateur stuff for RL/RU now too and probably have a lot of capacity.

[Gomersall]

 

[Angelus]

It's happening! 

 

https://x.com/LondonBroncosRL/status/1924368144165937331?t=xR5_HJEAzjpIEyMxgf27eg&s=09

[Henson Park Old Firm]

When?

[Angelus]

1 hour ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

When?

2 Days

[SinBinSid]

Happening? The Broncos have been ‘on the brink’ more times than a player on loan from Wigan. Until there’s a press release with actual names and numbers, it’s just another Monday in Broncoland. Happy to be wrong tho. I reckon the silence on the other socials and that cryptic ‘big week’ post on X could mean something’s stirring behind the scenes or maybe someone just found the login again.

[Click]

8 minutes ago, SinBinSid said:

 

Happening? The Broncos have been ‘on the brink’ more times than a player on loan from Wigan. Until there’s a press release with actual names and numbers, it’s just another Monday in Broncoland. Happy to be wrong tho. I reckon the silence on the other socials and that cryptic ‘big week’ post on X could mean something’s stirring behind the scenes or maybe someone just found the login again.

The gif used alludes to Wednesday, which is the day we've been told for awhile we have been waiting for.

So we'll see how the week goes I guess!

[SinBinSid]

Cheers - that’s more than the club’s given us officially so far. If Wednesday delivers, I’ll happily eat my words.  It’d be nice if this one actually came with some meat on the bones.  Typical Broncos tho with the masterplan being hidden in a gif.  Let’s hope it’s worth the build-up.

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

12 hours ago, Angelus said:

It's happening! 

 

https://x.com/LondonBroncosRL/status/1924368144165937331?t=xR5_HJEAzjpIEyMxgf27eg&s=09

Less than two days and we’ll know .