MIKE ECCLES: PROGRAMME NOTES
Jake Watson • 9 March 2024
Our tough luck continued last weekend, losing Sid in the team run and Dean after barely a minute of the match. Then to lose the game with what would have likely been our last defensive effort of the match was difficult to take. But the pride in the shirt and out right defiance to not let the setbacks of losing Sid and Dean affect us and to take the game to Hull FC on their own patch like we did showed tremendous character. I thought our skill level was tremendous too. Against Saints our execution was poor and against Catalans our kicking game and inability to execute our game plan was off point. Against Hull FC though we absolutely nailed our kicking game and showed fantastic skill and execution to take our opportunities. A sure sign that the team is learning and developing week on week. We will look for further improvement and progress in other areas today against a very good Wigan side. It's important that we keep progressing and keep the focus on ourselves as opposed to Wigan as we continue to learn and develop into a Super League side.
Moving on to this weekend, how better could we back up our best attendance for over a decade against Catalans than to welcome the reigning Super Leage and World Club Champions here at the Cherry Red Records stadium? Another incredibly exciting opportunity for us as a club to both acknowledge how far we've come in such a short space of time, but also to display to rugby league world the buzz around the club right now and the bright future ahead.
Regarding the team, today we welcome back Alex walker onto the bench after a sustained period in the rehab room. I'm sure you're as happy to see him back as I am. Sid is still not quite right following an impact to his quad in the Catalans game but will certainly be back in contention next week. Dean has the mandatory 12 day shut down after a failed HIA but will be back next week for Warrington.
Enjoy the game and get behind the boys as we take on the world's best.
Thanks always for your support,
Mike
Dave Williams in the ‘Legends Lounge’ London Broncos are delighted to welcome Dave Williams into the ‘Legends Lounge’ for our upcoming home game against York Knights on Saturday, May 3rd. The former prop is a London Rugby League legend after progressing through the then Harlequins RL academy into the first team before playing for both London Skolars and London Broncos.
Narrow losses in the later stages of the competition for Langley Park, Dorothy Stringer and St James in great matches played in St Helens, Hull and Whitehaven.
MIKE ECCLES: “Things will get better this season.” London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles has assured fans that better things are on the horizon after a sticky period of form. It has been a tough run of results with three consecutive results but also injuries and unavailability of dual-registration players has meant Mike Eccles has been operating with the bare minimum in terms of players available for selection. The run doesn’t get any easier as this weekend Broncos are on the road again but this time to the league leaders Halifax Panthers on Sunday.
GAMEWEEK: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos We move into the Round 8 of the Championship season on Sunday as we make the trip to Halifax. Kyle Eastmond's side are flying at the top of the division with 12 points from the opening 7 games although they did lose last time out to Bradford Bulls. The Broncos are on a run of 3 consecutive defeats and will be looking to bounce back on Sunday and aim for a first win in Halifax since 2016. Tickets for the game are still available - BUY HERE!
CLUB SHOP OPEN!! London Broncos are excited to announce that the Paladin online club shop is now fully stocked with items available to order right now. You can now order the 2025 home and away shirts, plus a selected number of items from the training range including hoodies, beanies and bags. You can order online from the link below or visit the club shop on matchday's.
FULL MATCH REPLAY: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos You can now watch back the Good Friday Championship game with Barrow Raiders in full on the link below. #WeAreLondon
MATCH GALLERY: Barrow Raiders 24-6 London Broncos You can now take a look through the best images from an ultimately disappointing afternoon for London Broncos in Cumbria. On a wet and windy afternoon in Barrow it was the home side who would take the two points. PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Miller #WeAreLondon
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos You can now watch back the highlights from the Round 7 Championship clash with Barrow Raiders at Craven Park. #WeAreLondon
POST MATCH REACTION: Barrow defeat Mike Eccles has said "things will get better" following the Championship defeat to Barrow this afternoon. It was a third consecutive defeat for the Broncos as they continue to up against the odds with a very small squad and a number of players involved in Championship rugby for the first time in their careers. Barrow would win 24-6 in wet and windy Cumbria and Mike Eccles praised the opponents for the way they handled the conditions. You can watch the full post-match interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
TEAM NEWS: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos Just one change from the 17 that started last week as Louix Gorman replaces Aaron Small who is unavailable this week. Gorman joins from Hull KR and is a 20-year-old centre who made his Super League debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Ted Davidson returns to the matchday squad and is named as 18th man. #WeAreLondon
