Future is bleak for struggling London Broncos

The Londoners have been racked by uncertainty in the past few months, with rumours swirling that owner David Hughes was set to withdraw his support after failing to receive guarantees over the club’s Super League status following the decision to re-instate promotion and relegation from the end of next season.

However, yesterday’s announcement has been made to resolve the club’s future.

“London Broncos Rugby League Club have today instructed lawyers to file a Notice of Intention to appoint administrators over the club,” said a statement on behalf of the Broncos.

“This will allow 10 working days for the club to work with the Rugby Football League and other parties to resolve the club’s future and will prevent any creditor from taking action against the club in this period.

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

The Broncos are yet to announce their plans for the 2014 season, having made their exit from the Twickenham Stoop at the end of last season, although it is thought they will be able to re-locate to Barnet.

They have suffered an exodus of players and coaches, and are yet to make a signing for the next campaign.

Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous recently confirmed he was in talks with the Broncos over a move to The Hive.

He is thought to be interested in acquiring a stake in the Super League club but only if it became debt-free. The decision to enter administration is a way of safeguarding the club while talks are ongoing.

The Broncos’ inclusion in the 2014 Super League fixture list this week was a positive sign but Mike Bishay yesterday became the 15th player to confirm his departure from the club.

That leaves coach Tony Rea with around half a dozen players on the books while chief executive Gus Mackay is thought to be overseeing a skeleton staff after a raft of redundancies were made at the end of last season.

The Broncos have been replaced by Wigan in the annual Capital Challenge match against London Skolars in January and Featherstone have offered to take their place in Super League for 2014.