I didn't realise there was a trophy available for this. Seems a bit....

Anyway, I feel sorry for Hendo, he thought he was joining the staff of an ex-SL club with the potential to get promoted, but he 's ended up being dumped on from a great height. Hughes is clueless and perhaps getting bored with it all, Grima was a joke, a skeleton staff, playing squad that disintegrated, a fanbase where even the most loyal of the loyalists are heading for the exits, and a seemingly-nailed on move to playing in a field with a pavilion. And a ridiculous commute to work.

I agree with the sentiment here, and I know from the survey I've conducted that a lot of loyal supporters are at the end of their tether, but don't conclude that the hard core of us left will walk away. Every situation presents opportunities and I believe (as I always have) that us fans hold the key to turning the Broncos around. I will do everything I can to bring this about, and I know plenty of other fans who will do the same.

Were you due to meet the 'club' recently ? If so, were there any outcomes ? For me, what would help is some transparency or at the very least some updates, instead of the rumour mill. Announcing signings is just a band aid approach. What we fans deserve are some clear and unambiguous statements from the club. I hate the idea of Ealing, but if the scenario is, we are moving to Ealing on a 20 year arrangement, partnering the Trailfinders in the truest sense of the word, we will have London Broncos signage throughout and prominent, there will be a new temporary stand opposite main pavilion and planning permission is being sought for covered stands/terraces, all the teams will train at the new facility, the club will better engage with community clubs and run minis, touch and masters festivals on match days, improve the catering facilities and bars on site, ensure a quality pre and post match experience, run match day shuttle buses from Ealing Broadway, empower the LBSA to run match day raffles, etc, run its own dedicated shop ........ now that would make it palatable

Diaries have aligned for this Friday!

If that was important we wouldn't be moving to a glorified park pitch.

If that's the case, I believe you'd see crowds increase to over 1k next season with the return of some lost stalwarts, but unfortunately I think this move is David Hughes winding down his level of investment and us preparing to stand on our own 2 feet.

What will the crowd be? I will go for 400.

Im not sure the bottom 8 will grab peoples attention, plus its holiday season.

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Andrew Henderson confirmed in a recent Guardian article that the medium term proposal the club had put to David was one that saw him reducing his investment / throwing money down the sink year on year. At the time David was considering it, it wasn't a done deal beyond next season.

Ealing is all about standing alone at some point - which has to be done realistically. (See Gretna FC for a club in a similar position who did not do such planning.)

We are reaching crucial days for southern RL. Broncos position is well known, some of the League One teams don't look too firmly bedded in, walkovers are worryingly common in the amateur game and the kids scene is weaker than it was when we had development officers. Not a pretty picture.

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While that's true such a possibly long reaching decision should not be in the hands of the outgoing administration, but the one that is taking over that should have a clear view of where it needs to go over the next 3, 5 10 years plus.
The Club needs a smooth transition from this administration to the next one, not a "take it or leave it" blueprint.

As it currently stands the incoming regime is the same as the outgoing regime just with less of David's money. If a third party is lined up I'm sure they will be in the loop. Commercial suicide otherwise.

I'm sure Friday will be under NDA but one you can ask about perhaps?

As an aside South Wales Scorpions were put on the market yesterday. The brief suggests they could be turned into a Superleague team for about £3m.

4 million a year is the break even figure for a lower placed SL side. 1.6 from sky and 2.4 from other means.
South Wales would need a major sponsor and 10k average to get to that stage and that would take 10 years and a lot more than 3 million.

Totally agree. Can't see any way a club at their level would get to Superleague for £3m. I'd suggest it is likely to cost Broncos more never mind a team a level below.

Strong squad for Saturday. Glad Hendo has included himself.

Let us set down a marker and win by a big score. Show the other teams we mean business.

Is there any chance you could suggest they look at Hayes & Yeading United? Their new place is due to open, finally, in December with 1,250 seats in one stand. (There's certainly room for expansion should the need Ever arise). The nearest station is Southall, so not ideal right now, but Crossrail will be opening there in 2018.

H&Y have been paying £1,000 per game rent whilst waiting for their stadium, so presumably they'd go for something similar from us. Also has a 3G pitch alongside the main pitch that we could train on.

A friend of mine was at H&Y on Saturday and was told there was still a funding shortfall. If true they may be interested in a deal. However a respected RL journalist has told me Ealing is a done deal so it may well be too late.

Apparently they have the £300,000 needed to complete the structure, install the seats and fit out the changing rooms and bar. The rest will come when the money is found. It meets FA requirements so they are aiming for December. Tbh if the RFL think Trailfinders is ok then H&Y should be fine too.

If David Hughes is winding down then what better way to go than by getting us a share in our own home?

Indeed, bit we've yet to hear the details of the Ealing arrangement, which could be a full partnership, with the players earning extra cash by waiting tables at weddings and corporate functions.

Oh this is the 8 August game thread. Who'd have thought it.

Indeed. Still, I wonder if there will be a thread just for those going to the game?


We've picked a decent looking squad and I'd hope we stick a decent score on them laying down a marker for the other games! Mr Hughes deserves a trophy for all of his efforts and I can't think of a more suitable one!

Let's hope for a game thread then with no hesitation, repetition or deviation.

But will we be allowed to post in it given neither of us will be there?

It's Friday.

AH! Just found this: