For non Java browsers click here

Main Page

Email Me

Of course I am talking about the finest form of Rugby, that is League. Gods Greatest Game as they say. My Team is the London Broncos,

Rugby League in London has now been going since the early  1980's much to everyones surprise. After a few bankruptcies and restarts things seem to be settled down for now. From Fulham RL to London Crusaders and now the London Broncos we have certainly lead a nomadic existence having played in all parts of London, still not having a home to speak of. Much thanks must go out to Richard Branson and his Virgin empire for all the support they have given the club over the years. He was the main man when the big event happened Wembley....

Wembley we were there!

Who would have thought it could ever happen, it makes all those freezing cold wet Sundays spent at Chiswick Poly worthwhile.The cup reply against Kells, had to be played Tuesday afternoon as there were no floodlights, in front of less than 200, playing in front of around 74,000. 2 teams in it so we thought we must have had a chance. Well we all know know that it was not to be, great for the first 58 minutes then it all went wrong. Still it was a great day even with the result. People outside the game seem surprised that the result was not that important, getting there was almost a dream come true. Still after you have been there several times I expect your perception changes! All the Stockers were  there, even got the tickets before the semis. Had to go as it is the last final at Wembley.

Unfortunately a good friend of mine, and lots of other people involved in the game of Rugby League, Bob Evans, died the morning of Wembley. He would of loved to have been there, at least he knew we had made it. A great loss to the game.

I have been following London since they started as Fulham back in the early 80's. Its a shame that the curent administration forget that the team was around before Super League, those were the days, watching before several hundred supporters at Chiswick Poly sports ground, never knowing whether the Quantas flight flying in overhead had a player on board. In fact things have not changed too much! We are well established in  Super League, has it all been worth it I hear you ask. Well, a sort of yes is my answer. The change to summer rugby has certainly been a benefit, some of those warm sunny late evenings, sat there watching the Broncos certainly beat those freezing cold foggy and damp afternoons, and the quality of the game has increased, year on year. Unfortunately the same seems to be true down under. Can we ever match them and learn to develop the skills so apparent in the southern hemisphere.

Much to lots of peoples surprise the game is still played in France, mainly in the South. For the last few years a group of Bronco supporters have flown south to Carcassonne in January to watch a local game. In 2003 it is Paris to watch Chatillon v Carcassonne via Eurostar. The game is tradition in parts of France, a history of RL in France can be gained from a book called 'The Forbidden Game', a interesting read. The game of XIII was banned by the Vicy government during the 2nd world war and until the 70's it was still banned from using the word rugby in their title. It was known a 'Joue a treize'. To this day none of the monies or properties seized during the 1940's has been returned to the code. Strange times we live in. Lets hope Super League allows a French team to join the competition.