London Broncos (Merged Threads)

[SinBinSid]

From the Broncos socials- 

“It’s an exciting project. The Club will soon have a new ownership group fully committed to delivering a whole range of key objectives and achieving a Grade A licence.

“For 2026, the Club will have a new name and brand and the Club will support the RFL with player participation and development schemes.

“Immediate plans are to strengthen the playing squad and reengage with former London fans in the region and provide support for all Rugby League players, teams and clubs in this area”.

This has got to be one of the most ambitious and clear-sighted statements the London Broncos have put out in years or even decades.  The rebrand in 2026 is huge. It suggests they’re not just tweaking things, but trying to wipe the slate clean and create a club London can actually get behind. Whether it’s NRL-backed or not, the ambition here finally seems aligned with what the sport needs in the south with proper development pathways, community outreach, and a top-end club with a plan.

Still, as ever, execution will matter. Promises are easy. Let’s hope this time they’ve got the backing, brains and bottle to follow through.

Can't wait for this all to unravel.  Happy days!!!!

[Coggo]

RIP London Broncos 1994-2025.

[Coggo]

3 minutes ago, SinBinSid said:

From the Broncos socials- 

“It’s an exciting project. The Club will soon have a new ownership group fully committed to delivering a whole range of key objectives and achieving a Grade A licence.

“For 2026, the Club will have a new name and brand and the Club will support the RFL with player participation and development schemes.

“Immediate plans are to strengthen the playing squad and reengage with former London fans in the region and provide support for all Rugby League players, teams and clubs in this area”.

This has got to be one of the most ambitious and clear-sighted statements the London Broncos have put out in years or even decades.  The rebrand in 2026 is huge. It suggests they’re not just tweaking things, but trying to wipe the slate clean and create a club London can actually get behind. Whether it’s NRL-backed or not, the ambition here finally seems aligned with what the sport needs in the south with proper development pathways, community outreach, and a top-end club with a plan.

 

Still, as ever, execution will matter. Promises are easy. Let’s hope this time they’ve got the backing, brains and bottle to follow through.

Can't wait for this all to unravel.  Happy days!!!!

All good but where's the money coming from? I hope the journos there are asking that question!

[Wellsy4HullFC]

7 minutes ago, Coggo said:

RIP London Broncos 1994-2025.

Wonder which animal Hetherington has a love of. Lizards? Lemurs? Llamas?

[Click]

7 minutes ago, Coggo said:

RIP London Broncos 1994-2025.

How is the club dead now?

[Worzel]

This does all feel a little bit like an announcement that in the future there will be some more announcements.

I'm not entirely sure the content deserves the setting, or the audience.

Bit of a damp squib. Good intentions don't build rugby league clubs. 

[Archie Gordon]

15 minutes ago, SinBinSid said:

From the Broncos socials- 

“It’s an exciting project. The Club will soon have a new ownership group fully committed to delivering a whole range of key objectives and achieving a Grade A licence.

“For 2026, the Club will have a new name and brand and the Club will support the RFL with player participation and development schemes.

“Immediate plans are to strengthen the playing squad and reengage with former London fans in the region and provide support for all Rugby League players, teams and clubs in this area”.

This has got to be one of the most ambitious and clear-sighted statements the London Broncos have put out in years or even decades.  The rebrand in 2026 is huge. It suggests they’re not just tweaking things, but trying to wipe the slate clean and create a club London can actually get behind. Whether it’s NRL-backed or not, the ambition here finally seems aligned with what the sport needs in the south with proper development pathways, community outreach, and a top-end club with a plan.

 

Still, as ever, execution will matter. Promises are easy. Let’s hope this time they’ve got the backing, brains and bottle to follow through.

Can't wait for this all to unravel.  Happy days!!!!

This has all been said on a 5-yearly basis for a few decades now. There is no new ownership (yet). 

[JM2010]

3 minutes ago, Worzel said:

This does all feel a little bit like an announcement that in the future there will be some more announcements.

I'm not entirely sure the content deserves the setting, or the audience.

Bit of a damp squib. Good intentions don't build rugby league clubs. 

Although I’m all for this announcement and potential rebrand. I was hoping for a bit more information.Which NRL clubs are being partnered with? What are the plans for increasing junior playing numbers? Etc

Edited May 21 by JM2010

[Anita Bath]

6 hours ago, Anita Bath said:

I cant see the Dolphins making a big play with an organisation with the name broncos….but I could be completely wrong and usually am.

So there you have it…..rebrand…….it couldnt possibly be the London Dolphins could it? Or maybe following the Redcliffe lead and going without a location…just simply dolphins. Should help avoid confusion as they continue to ground hop to fit in with the football clubs commitments.

[SinBinSid]

18 minutes ago, Coggo said:

RIP London Broncos 1994-2025.

*2006–2011: Harlequins Rugby League

 

18 minutes ago, Coggo said:

All good but where's the money coming from? I hope the journos there are asking that question!

Fair question and I hope it gets a clear answer in due course. But for now I’m just glad to finally see something announced and with a bit of professionalism and vision behind it for once. It’s a promising start at least after all the delays/waiting

[Dave T]

9 minutes ago, Worzel said:

This does all feel a little bit like an announcement that in the future there will be some more announcements.

I'm not entirely sure the content deserves the setting, or the audience.

Bit of a damp squib. Good intentions don't build rugby league clubs. 

Yeah, I get the impression things are behind schedule and they've delayed this as much as they could so have just staged the event without real tangibles.

[Angelus]

12 minutes ago, Worzel said:

This does all feel a little bit like an announcement that in the future there will be some more announcements.

I'm not entirely sure the content deserves the setting, or the audience.

Bit of a damp squib. Good intentions don't build rugby league clubs. 

What were you expecting? 

[Coggo]

3 minutes ago, SinBinSid said:

*2006–2011: Harlequins Rugby League

 

Fair question and I hope it gets a clear answer in due course. But for now I’m just glad to finally see something announced and with a bit of professionalism and vision behind it for once. It’s a promising start at least after all the delays/waiting

I looked up Freshwater and they certainly have a track record in rugby league. In fact, they were hired by the WA government in relation to the Perth NRL franchise bid. That is promising.

[Angelus]

5 minutes ago, SinBinSid said:

*2006–2011: Harlequins Rugby League

 

Fair question and I hope it gets a clear answer in due course. But for now I’m just glad to finally see something announced and with a bit of professionalism and vision behind it for once. It’s a promising start at least after all the delays/waiting

An Australian consortium is "close" to completing the takeover apparently. 

Funds are to made available immediately, with at least 2 players signing from France shortly, and more to follow over the summer.

All in all, very exciting and encouraging news imo. 

[Coggo]

“Freshwater's partnership with London Rugby is focused on growing sponsors and investment underpinned by NRL partnerships and an exciting and contemporary club rebrand."

Just call it London Rugby. Sorted. We all know it's the best kind, it's just the rest of the world has yet to catch up.

[gingerjon]

Been out this morning so just catching up.

That is … not really an announcement, really?

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

33 minutes ago, Angelus said:

An Australian consortium is "close" to completing the takeover apparently. 

Funds are to made available immediately, with at least 2 players signing from France shortly, and more to follow over the summer.

All in all, very exciting and encouraging news imo. 

Must have missed the bit about funds immediately being available. Unless that was for Journos only afterwards.

[Angelus]

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

Must have missed the bit about funds immediately being available. Unless that was for Journos only afterwards.

It's been the journos who have been reporting it so that must have been the case. 

[RBKnight]

51 minutes ago, Angelus said:

What were you expecting? 

"....herds of wildebeest strolling across the Serengeti ?"

[The Blues Ox]

Exciting times for London fans but for everyone else, another year, another London rebrand. They really need someone with a bottomless pit of money and who can put an exciting vision in to reality. A bit like a lot of teams really.

[Sports Prophet]

1 hour ago, Coggo said:

I looked up Freshwater and they certainly have a track record in rugby league. In fact, they were hired by the WA government in relation to the Perth NRL franchise bid. That is promising.

They certainly were. Highly influential in the original bid which was rejected by the NRL. Nick and his team were one of the reasons the original bid which included Peter Cummins was so fancied, after they were responsible for delivering the Dolphins bid a few years prior.

[EssexRL]

I think given the promises we have had over the years with Broncos and Skolars some caution is understandable but this does feel more solid. Fingers crossed. 

I do hope some direct approach was made to media in London about this, particularly with the CC coming up. 

[The Future is League]

2 hours ago, Anita Bath said:

So there you have it…..rebrand…….it couldnt possibly be the London Dolphins could it? Or maybe following the Redcliffe lead and going without a location…just simply dolphins. Should help avoid confusion as they continue to ground hop to fit in with the football clubs commitments.

Listening to Phil Gould a little while ago where he mentioned about the untapped potential in Rugby League in this country. I wonder if the Canterbury Bulldogs will be a club that sticks it hands up for developing Rugby League in London along with the Dolphins. Something like a joint venture as Phil Gould himself is very pro junior development.

[Gomersall]

 

[Coggo]

The strange thing is they held it in Australia House yet there's been hardly any mention of Australia or Australians in the official blurb.