WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH: London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers

WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH: London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers

London Broncos have enjoyed many tough encounters with Championship rivals Featherstone Rovers over the years and that rivalry will be renewed on Sunday as the two sides meet at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Jordan Williams will return to Wimbledon for the first time as an opposing player this weekend after graduating from the Broncos academy and going on to play 85 times.

But who else has played for both? We have taken a look at SOME of those to have done it. Can you name any more?

Wellington Albert

The popular PNG prop was at Featherstone for the 2024 season after two seasons in London. Albert played 42 times for Broncos in Wimbledon and quickly became a fans favourite, featuring in the run which saw the club promoted back to Super League. The 30-year-old also had two loan spells at Featherstone whilst at Leeds before coming to London in 2022.

Ikram Butt

Ikram is a real legend of the sport having become the first british asian to play for England in either codes of rugby after playing for England in 1995 whilst representing Featherstone Rovers. Butt was born in Leeds and came through at his hometown club of the Rhinos but it was at Featherstone where he would really make his mark in the game playing 168 times. He would then leave in 1995 to join London Broncos before moves to Huddersfield and Hunslet at the end of his career.

Dean Parata

We welcome Dean back to The Cherry Red Records Stadium as our special guest this afternoon. The Aussie born Italian had three stellar years in London as a vice captain, promotion winner and Championship Player of The Year. Prior to coming to Wimbledon Parata played for Barrow, Toulouse and Featherstone. Parata made the decision to retire at the end of last season but will receive a warm welcome in the Legends Lounge on Sunday.

Ben Hellewell

Hellewell enjoyed a fine career that took him to a number of professional rugby league clubs but it was probably both Broncos and Featherstone where he is best remembered. Starting out at Warrington he didn’t make a first team appearance but after a couple of loan spells it was Featherstone where Hellewell would make his mark permanently. However after a year it was a move to London and this time over 100 appearances spanning across 4 years was the Bradford born man’s longest spell at any club. After leaving London in 2019 Hellewell would eventually return to Featherstone for another season in 2022.

Chris Hankinson

A player who is currently playing in Super League with Salford Red Devils but has successfully played for both Broncos and Featherstone. Although it was just a short loan spell in London for Hankinson, he left a good impression with 6 tries and 120 points in just 11 games. A year in France with Toulouse followed a move to Featherstone Rovers and despite winning the league leaders shield in 2023, Hankinson and Rovers would be beaten by the Broncos in the play-off semi finals.

Morgan Smith

We are likely to face Smith this season with the Featherstone born man now playing for Craig Lingard’s Sheffield Eagles. After coming through at Warrington, Smith came to London in 2019 playing in both Super League and Championship. Smith’s best season came in the 2022 season whilst at Featherstone where he would score 22 tries in 30 games.