Panthers v Broncos preview
7 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
London Broncos will return home to Griffin Park on Sunday after almost two months on the road, to face Tetley's Super League leaders, Leeds Rhinos.
And the good news for London fans does not end there; Tony Rea will welcome back three key players for the homecoming and will name the final seventeen on match day.
Russell Bawden has arrived back at the club and will look to make his 132nd top-flight appearance for London, in what will be his third stint in the capital.
Also set to make his first appearance for the Broncos this season is England 'A' International Rob Purdham after missing the first eighteen rounds following knee surgery, and Andrew Hart will return after a seven-week absence through injury.
Tony Rea, who will be assisted by Rohan Smith - nephew of Leeds coach Tony Smith, is delighted to be heading back to Brentford: "It's a great feeling playing before your own people and I can already sense the excitement in the squad."
It's a reward for a lot of hard work for the players returning from injury and they will add a timely boost to our unit."
It should be a great event on Sunday. The leaders are coming to town, London supporters will get to see their own team on their home pitch, and I know there is a load of activity surrounding the game itself on the day."
Rob Purdham added: "It's been a real tough battle to getback but I have always known that it would be well worth the effort. I can't wait to get out there and finally be able to help my mates."
Before the game Broncos CEO Nic Cartwright will host a special London Broncos Fans' Form which will start at 1pm. All London fans are welcome to attend but must have a valid match ticket to do so. The Broncos will also donate part proceeds from match day ticket sales to Sport Relief. Simply turn upon the day wearing a red sock (similar to that worn by the team on their private parts last week) on your foot, and the club will donate a portion from every premium adult ticket bought on the day.
Kick off is 3pm. Gates open at 1pm.
Discounted tickets can be bought before 5pm Friday 16th July - 0871 2221657.
Team as follows:
Sykes, Wells, Roy, Jackson, Greenwood, O'Halloran, Moran, Moore, Budworth, Trindall, Brocklehurst, Botham, Retchless: Stringer, Highton, Stephenson, Kirkpatrick, Purdham, Hart, Bawden (three to be omitted)
London Broncos Junior Academy will play Featherstone at new home venue Ruislip RUFC at 2.30 on Saturday. Directions to the ground can be found at
www.londonbroncos.co.uk
In other news:
As London Broncos prepare to return home to Brentford this Sunday, after six long weeks on the road, Chief Executive Nic Cartwright has today hit out at comments made during the week by leading BBC presenter John Inverdale, and rugby league journeyman, Bobby Goulding. The programme 'Any Sporting Questions' on Radio 5 Live, raised the issue of rugby league expansion, and more specifically, rugby league in London.
Cartwright has no problem with broadcasters expressing opinion but he does object to the presentation of clearly inaccurate facts. The pair made comments to the effect that rugby league should be more interested in protecting the game in its northern heartlands rather than looking at expansion.
Saying that the London Broncos 'experiment' has been a flop, proving that there is no market for rugby league in the capital, has certainly infuriated many London fans, and Cartwright himself.
"They can say what they like as long as they are intelligent enough to back up those statements with fact." Telling people that our average crowd is 1500, that our support is only drawn from expatriate Australians, and that all our players are Australian, is a clear case of ignorance."
If John cares to look at the 'facts' here they are. Our research tells us that our Australian match day audience is less than 15%, and this season of the 23 man squad, just eight are Aussies." I don't like people talking our club or the game in London down. And I particularly don't like people shooting their mouth off from a position of ignorance."
If John would like to come and be our guest at Griffin Park on Sunday, it might be a good opportunity for him to see just how much hard work goes into helping our game grow outside of the heartlands." Rugby League is a cracking game and deserves a much wider audience in the UK and on an International scale, and attitudes like this certainly don't help our cause." In no way is this a criticism of the BBC which is a terrific partner for our game, but I am disappointed at the comments which were made."
If John, and others who haven't been to a Broncos game this season, do turn up, here's what you can expect:
Nic Cartwright will host a London Fans' Forum pre-match from 1pm. This is open to all rugby league fans in London and a valid match ticket will be needed to attend.
London Broncos Junior Academy, who play against Featherstone at Ruislip on Saturday, will undertake a bucket collection for their injured teammate Matt King.
The Broncos will donate part proceeds from premium adult ticket sales on the day to Sport Relief. To contribute, simply wear a red sock and show it to the turnstile staff. We are not interested in socks worn on any other part of the anatomy - for more details visit www.londonbroncos.co.uk
More than 200 children who recently participated in the five week Hounslow & Ealing Summer Festival of League will be at the game. Forty budding Cowgirls will represent their respective Cheer-Dance Clubs on the pitch pre-match and at half time. For the first time we'll meet the Brook Road Broncos, with the club agreeing to open a third stand for the match. The 'I'm A League Fan...Get Me In There!' competition will be launched with one fan at the game selected to WIN the �1500 10th Birthday Party Pack.
Our Half Time Heroes representing the county of Kent will strut their stuff.
And last but certainly not least the gorgeous high kicking Cowgirls will dazzle those in attendance.
Kick off is 3pm. Gates open at 1pm.
Discounted tickets can be bought before 5pm Friday 16th July - 0871 2221657.