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Fans disagree as NRL club confirms ‘zero interest’ in major Super League blow

NRL & Super League

Rugby League in London is a debate we could have all day, and after a recent update on the Broncos, that’s exactly what Super League fans have been doing.

London Broncos have taken on many guises and even names and were once owned by NRL giants Brisbane Broncos. In the late 90s they had some brief glimmers of success, making the Challenge Cup final and also finishing inside the Super League top four. But overall the 21st century has not exactly been kind to rugby league in London. Had it not been for the generous support of David Hughes, we would have been in this situation a long time ago.

The Broncos are once again under threat after they dropped out of the Super League due to the results of the IMG gradings, with the capital side also finishing bottom of the league table but only on points difference versus a Hull FC side which spent more than double on player wages.

Dismayed at the struggles he’s faced over the years and hardships in pushing rugby league in London forward, Hughes waved the white flag somewhat last September.

“After 27 eventful years of which we spent 20 years in the Super League, I have decided on behalf of myself and the Hughes family that we will step down at the end of the season. We will make every effort to facilitate anyone interested in taking over the club to lead it through the Championship,” Hughes wrote in a London statement.

This has led to speculation aplenty and even Brisbane Broncos were linked with a takeover, something which has been dismissed by the NRL team. Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy and Broncos chairman Karl Morris rejected those claims.

“I’m aware of interest from English clubs seeking investment from their Australian counterparts but to be clear, ownership of a UK club is not something the Brisbane Broncos are considering right now,” Donaghy said while Morris stated ‘it’s the first I’ve heard of it’.

Morris continued: “I understand there are people (linked to the Super League) in Australia… There is zero interest from us in an international football franchise.”

Rugby League fans give Super League London Broncos verdict

This brings us to the crux of the issue, the future of the London Broncos. And we posed the question to fans on our Serious About Rugby League Facebook page this week, simply asking whether the Super League needs London Broncos. The response below was varied and passionate.

Andy Barber: Any presence can only be a good thing, a successful team, while the teams from the other code are struggling, could attract more people to watch. What League is fighting against is the ” Old Boys Network “, an outdated, Class based attitude to Sport. Without the over inflated amounts paid by TV to the 15 a side game, it is unlikely it would survive. It is a testament to the League that, despite its being neglected by major media, it has survived and defies the lack of media coverage.

Dale Heskett: London would be a huge boost if a stalwart of super league. It would though need proper financial support, a realistic allowance on salary cap because cost of living in London is astronomical and perhaps a couple of extra overseas places. They spent years building junior development and an academy, only for IMG to tell them to scrap it!
Self interest won’t allow any help however, no matter the benefits.

Charles Newton: If Rugby League is serious about expansion then yes it does otherwise it will go back to being a north of England parochial game which will always be a second class sport to Rugby Union and Football. It needs a club in London which is properly funded, has a stable base and can compete in order for it to attract bigger crowds and sponsorship. Without a competitive London club the game as a whole may find it hard to attract top level sponsorship. The Challenge Cup, with the final being in London also needs to be taken more seriously by the Rugby League as it is becoming a second class competition to Super League as attendances at the final are showing.

Alan Mulqueen: To be honest… no. London is a football capital and rugby league is a waste of time there.. Fulham had a great go at it but it filtered away.

Steven Smith: In a word no. The fixation on Super League at the expense of many traditional clubs in the heartlands is slowly strangling the game at its roots.

Jon Hilton: Realistically rugby league is an m62 corridor game and it’s not even fixed along there so trying to grow it elsewhere has diluted the original product. We should never of tried expansion until we had a solid platform across the original clubs. This is my opinion and I know some will disagree but if you look at the community game and how many teams existed then you’ll see my point if you look at what’s left.

Anne John Bass: I would rather the RFL looked after clubs with real potential. Sadly Rugby League has failed in the capital, even Branson couldn’t make it work.

Moortown Paving: No …….. take 3 fans to every away game bring nothing whatsoever ever to super league.

Darren Leumas: Superleague don’t need any one team. I think London bring something to the table but have been poorly marketed.
I remember a few years ago when Harlequins RL they did a double header Quins RL VS Saints and then a Union match straight after. For someone who wouldn’t go to his own doorstep to watch RU and having no option but to buy a single ticket it will have done wonders for the money men but not the Northern RL fans having to pay £50ish to watch one game. The marketing has let them down.

Lee Taylor: For how many years have we tried and how many clubs gone bust or relegated?? It’s just a nice weekend away in the big smoke for SL top brass and to pretend we are a national league. The French teams do better and be better at least they love their rugby.

Join in and have your say here.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. vik

    January 24, 2025 at 3:57 pm

    this expansion rubish needs to stop,if they want r/l in an area it will come on its own, millions have been wasted at the expense of the traditional clubs

  2. Manc LM

    January 27, 2025 at 11:16 pm

    NAH…….

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