LEADERSHIP TEAM

Tony REA - Head Coach

rlhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-2191420/Tony-Rea-announced-London-Broncos-head-coach.htmlrl
Tony has been involved with the Broncos on and off for almost twenty years having initially joined as a Hooker from North Sydney back in 2005. His first spell from 1999-2006 saw him close to a 50/50 win record with 71 wins, 8 draws and 74 losses over 153 games but he was allegedly pushed upstairs by short-term owner Lenagan and left our club after a spell as Director of Football. Since his return we have won 12, drawn 2 and lost 24 games and having inherited a squad which had won only 3 from 20 and a club that have been bottom three since 2007 he has a huge job to rebuild the club. He is very well respected by the loyal away support.

Joe GRIMA - Assistant Coach

rlhttps://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/london_broncos_bring_in_joe_grima_as_assistant_coach_1_3287370rl
A veteran coach with 19 years experience coaching Parramatta Eels and who has recently been Head Coach of the Malta National Team and an Assistant to Ricky Stuart of Cronullla Sharks.

PLAYERS

#1 Nesiasi MATAITONGA - Fullback - Cronulla Sharks. Twitterhttps://www.loverugbyleague.com/_media/photo_29376.jpg" >
A 20 year old born on the 25th February 1993 in Auckland, New Zealand. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 14 stone 11 pounds and played for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Under 20's side in 2012-2013 as well as playing for Tonga in the World Cup.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25759196rl

#2 Kieran DIXON - Winger - Broncos Academy. Twitterhttps://media.rladmin.co.uk/images/4147.jpg" >
A 21 year old born on the 22nd August 1992 in Hackney, London. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall and 12 stones 8 pounds. He broke through to the first team in February 2012 having shown lightning quick speed in the Academy and he has since scored 37 tries in 51 games as well as 2 tries in 3 games for England Knights. He is the best player at the club. He injured his knee playing for England Knights v Samoa and is currently able to only train his upper body y. He is expected to be able to start running again in May 2014 and is aiming to return to first team football by the Summer of 2014.

#3 Jordan ATKINS - Outside Back - Burleigh Bears. No Twitter Account.

A 31 year old born on the 22nd January 1983 in Queensland, Australia. He is 6 feet two inches tall and weighs 15 stones 2 pounds. Nicknamed 'Air Jordan' after scoring 4 tries on debut for the Gold Coast Titans against North Queensland Cowboys he then signed for Parramatta Eels during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Whilst wearing the number associated with a centre, Atkins has played on the wing in the opening rounds, perhaps whilst the club waits for Denny Solomona to arrive.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12212/9149739/super-league-australian-jordan-atkins-joins-london-broncos-ahead-of-new-seasorl

# 4 Thomas MINNS - Centre - Leeds Rhinos (Season Loan). Twitterhttps://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/68564000/jpg/_68564423_an5i0330.jpg" >
A 19 year old born on the 4th September 1994 in Leeds. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs 14 stone 4 pounds. In 2012 he scored 18 tries in 12 games for Rhinos under 18s and signed a new three year contract with Leeds in 2013 after a try scoring debut v Castleford Tigers.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25729831rl

#5 James DUCKWORTH - Winger - Leeds Rhinos (Season Loan) Twitterhttps://www.therhinos.co.uk/images/news/duckworth_wakefield_debut_2.jpg" >
A 19 year old born on the 9th April 1994 in Leeds. He is is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs 14 stones 11 pounds. He is a former England Academy International and has played first grade Rugby for his parent club the Leeds Rhinos, where he scored on debut and has played twice in Super League. Given that the Rhinos have Hall, Briscoe and Jones-Bishop in front of him, it looks probable he could be made available again in future seasons for a loan spell.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25729831rl

#6 Ben FARRAR - Utility Back - Western Suburbs Rosellas. Twitterhttps://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ben+Farrar+NRL+Rd+9+Sea+Eagles+v+Dragons+4yAVnPSzw4fl.jpg" >
A 27 year old born on the 2nd December 1986 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. he is 5 feet 10 inches tall and 13 stone 12 pounds. A promising early career saw Farrar play for Western Suburbs Rosellas and represent the New South Wales under 19s and playing for Newcastle before debuting for North Queensland in 2007, after which he signed for Manly. He then signed a contract with Catalan Dragons for one year with a further one year option but declined the club's offer of a second year. He resigned for Manly but after two years of injury, he looked like drifting out of first grade Rugby as he resigned for the Suburbs before Tony Rea stepped in. Supporters of Broncos are hopeful his injury problems are behind him and that he can successfully transistion from utility back to half back.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/london_broncos_sign_catalan_dragons_man_ben_farrar_and_give_jamie_o_callaghan_new_deal_1_3320059rl

#7 Josh DRINKWATER - Half Back - St George Illawarra Dragons. Twitterhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/JOSH_DRINKWATER.jpg/180px-JOSH_DRINKWATER.jpg" >
He is a 31 year old born on 15 June 1992 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is exactly six feet tall and 12 stone 13 pounds. A former Captain of the Manly Sea Eagles Toyota Cup team, Drinkwater signed for St George Illawarra and played a total of 46 games for the two clubs, with just a handful of first grade appearances. He has been unlucky to be third in line behind Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans at Manly plus now retired Captain Ben Hornby and London icon Jamie Soward at St George.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12040/9178847/super-league-josh-drinkwater-leaves-australia-for-london-broncosrl
[iPlease note the London Broncos have not officially confirmed this signing or squad number [/i

#8 Atelea VEA - Utility Forward. No Twitter Account.

He is 27 years old and was born on the 27th November 1986 in Sydney. He is 6 feet tall and 16 stone 3 pounds and can play as a Second Rower or Loose Forward but appears to also have the physique to play at Prop and will have the physical presence a Tongan is always likely to carry. Like Josh Drinkwater, he will have been identified by former St George video analyst Joe Grima as worth signing. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Melbourne Storm since making his debut in 2009 team before joining the St George Illawarra first grade team in the year 2012.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/st-george-illawarra-dragons-pair-snapped-up-by-london-broncos-20140222-338ng.htmlrl
[iPlease note the London Broncos have not officially confirmed this signing or squad number [/i

#9 Scott MOORE - Hooker - North Queensland Cowboys Twitterhttps://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xcyWzH2zfc0/St94dSejuiI/AAAAAAAACco/YTqKh5B5OyM/s400/scottmoore.jpg" >
A 26 year old born on January 23 1988 in St Helens. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and 15 stones 2 pounds. An England International he has made nearly 75 appearances for St Helens and 150 first team appearances in his career. He has also played for Huddersfield, Castleford and Widnes before joining the Broncos from the Cowboys.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25744413rl

#10 Olsi KRASNIQI - Prop - Broncos Academy

A 21 year old born on the 28th June 1992 in Tirana, Albania. He is 5 feet 11 and 16 stone 1 pounds. After scoring on debut v Crusaders in 2010 Olsi has has played around 65 games for the club with last season seeing him feature in about 23 Super League games plus a couple of run-outs for the Skolars.

#11 Mike McMEEKEN - Second Row - Broncos Academyhttps://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Trent%2BWaterhouse%2BMike%2BMcMeeken%2BLondon%2BBroncos%2BbSYVMKArnr3l.jpg" >
He is a 19 year old born on May 10th 1994 in Basingstoke. He is 6 feet 5 inches and 15 stone 8 pounds. He came through in the 2012 season with 3 appearances off the bench before scoring 4 tries in 9 matches last season which is a great strike rate. He is a Centre by background but with his size tends to be used in the Forwards.

#12 Matthew COOK- Second Row - Hull KR Twitterhttps://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/03/23/article-2298047-18E12184000005DC-198_634x472.jpg" >
Captain Cook is a 27 year old born on the 14th November 1986 in Warrington. He is 6 feet tall and 16 stone 7 pounds. He came through the Broncos Academy before playing for Saracens, Bradford Bulls, Hull KR and the England national team before returning to star for the Broncos.

#13 Alex FOSTER - Loose Forward - Leeds Rhinos (Season Loan) Twitter@ alexfozz

A 20 year old born on the 25th September 1993 in Gloucester. He is 6 feet tall and 13 stone 9 pounds and can play in the centres or run out wide in the forwards. He was Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year for the Rhinos under 18s in 2012 and played just under ten first grade games for the Rhinos in 2013 and has been suggested as a potential young player of the year by Rugby League Express.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25729831rl

#14 Mikey BISHAY - Scrum Half- Broncos Academy Twitterhttps://www.londonbroncosrl.com/images/news/mike-bishay-hac-skolars.jpg" >
A 20 year old born on the 8th February 1993 in Ashford Middlesex. He is 5 feet 6 inches and 12 stones 8 pounds. He played 8 first team games last season as a rotational Hooker although he first broke through as one of the pair of England under 18 internationals we brought through a few seasons back.

#15 James GREENWOOD - Prop - Wigan Warriors (Season Loan) Twitterhttps://www.wiganwarriors.com/Image.aspx?m
A 22 year old born on the 7th June 1991 in Oldham. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 17 stones 4 pounds. He played for Oldham before signing for Wigan, where he has played three first team matches. He spent large parts of last season at South Wales Scorpions. Greenwood looked highly promising in the preseason friendlies and it was a big disappointment that he missed the early part of the season.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/22/london-broncos-wigan-prop-james-greenwood-loanrl

#16 Nick SLYNEY- Utility Forward - Brisbane Broncos No Twitter Account

Rugby League Express 20/01/14https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25962131rl

#17 Will LOVELL - Second Row - Broncos Academy. Twitter@ LovellWill

He is a 20 year old born on May 10, 1993 in Northampton. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 16 stones 3 pounds. He played 15 times in 2013 split between the bench and as a starter and a further 10 games in 2012 so he has began to find his feet after 25 first team games and let us hope he can start to power over the line again as he did three times in 2012. He will be very pleased to have a starting 17 squad number this year.

#18 George GRIFFIN - Second Row - Hull KR Twitterhttps://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/fp3vDLM_fwIkb.K99ED4kA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MzYwO2NyPTE7Y3c9NjQwO2R4PTA7ZHk9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD0zNTU7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en_GB/Sports/Eurosport/1164303-19446486-640-360.jpg" >
A 21 year old born on the 26 June 1992 in Oxford, England. He is 6 feet one inch and 14 stone 13 pounds. He played for Queanbeyan Kangaroos, who were a feeder club to Canberra Raiders and was due to sign for Crusaders prior to their financial problems, but went instead to Hull KR where he made 20 appearances between 2012 and 2013.
Confirmation of signinghttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-KR-forward-George-Griffin-signs-London/story-20435814-detail/story.htmlrl

#19 Erjon DOLLAPI - Prop - Broncos Academy

A 20 year old born on the 16th March 2013 in Albania. He is 6 feet tall and 15 stone 3 pounds. He has been with the club since the under 16s. He played 11 times off the bench for the Broncos scoring 2 tries in 2013 and made 14 appearances for Skolars on dual registration, of which 10 were starts, scoring 7 tries. Injured in pre-season he had yet to play in the opening rounds of the 2014 season.

#20 James CUNNINGHAM - Hooker - Hull FC (Season Loan, with one month recall clause) Twitterhttps://www.totalrl.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Cunningham.jpg" >
A 19 year old born on the 3rd April 1994 in Hull. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 13 stones 12 pounds. He has played for Hull in both the cup and league, but being ineligible for the under 19s meant Hull were looking to lend out this highly rate Hooker and Rea stepped in. Broncos supporters need Houghton and Heremeia to stay fit to retain this player who has been highly impressive in the opening rounds of the season
Confirmation of signinghttps://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12212/9127305/super-league-james-cunningham-joins-london-broncos-on-loan-from-hull-fc-for-2014rl

#21 Joel WICKS - Second Row - Broncos Academy twitter@ WicksJoel

He has made 6 first team appearances with the first five being defeats. A local product he has tended to come off the bench in games. He looks about 5 feet 11 and around 14 stone but I am sure the club will at some point create a profile which goes beyond my estimates.

#22 James WOODBURN HALL - Stand Off - Broncos Academy Twitterhttps://www.londonbroncosrl.com/images/news/2013/james-woodburn-hall-stoop.jpg" >
An 18 year old born on the 2nd February 1995 in Isleworth Middlesex. He is 5 feet 11 inches and 13 stones 5 pounds. He played 8 first team games last season with seven consecutive matches towards season end and scored one try.

#23 Denny SOLOMONA - Winger - Melbourne Storm. Twitterhttps://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Holden%2BCup%2BRd%2B8%2BStorm%2Bv%2BRaiders%2BK0nOGX9pNssl.jpg" >
A 20 year old born on the 27th September 1993 in Auckland, New Zealand. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 13 stone 3 pounds and was in the first grade squad deputising for Billy Slater as required. He is able to play fullback, winger or centre. Confirmation of signinghttps://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12212/9108734/super-league-london-broncos-land-melbourne-storms-denny-solomonarl

#24 Mason CATON-BROWN - Centre - Broncos Academy Twitterhttps://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02665/caton_2665119b.jpg" >
A 20 year old born on the 24th May 1993 in Enfield, United Kingdom. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 14 stones. He comes into this season with high expectations given his away hat trick at Hull KR on the last day of last season plus a further try at Bradford Bulls away the week before.

#25 Iliess MACANI - Centre - Broncos Academy

He is a 20 year old born on December 6th 1993 in Tottenham. He is 5 feet 10 inches and 14 stones. He plays as a fullback or outside back. He debuted at St Helens away and won at Hull KR on the last game of last season in what was a great come back that is for sure.

#26 Tony GIGOT - Half Back - Cronulla Sharks

Tony is 23-year-old France international who previously spent time in the London club's academy when we were known as Harlequins RL. He made his debut for the Catalans Dragons in 2010 and subsequently had spells with Toulouse Olympique, Avignon Bisons and a year at Cronulla.
Confirmation of signing - Utility Back- London Skolars

#28 Carl Forster - Prop - St Helens

#29 Harvey BURNETT - Centre/Winger - Broncos Academy


#30 Jon WALLACE - Prop Forward - Broncos Academy

He is a 19 year old born on the 8th October 1994 in in Pieta, Malta and an international for his nation. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and 15 stones 1 pound and has came through the Croydon club having been spotted by Phil Jones after he scored three tries on debut.

RUMOURED SIGNINGS

Mark TAUFUA - Prop - Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
*Rumoured on these boards - no press links as yet*

Mark Taufua, who didn't play first grade until he was 26, will finish with 88 top-grade games. He leaves the Sharks following a two-year stint after switching from Newcastle and after only a couple of appearances in 2013.
He declared he had retired by some French commentators suggest he may have signed for us.

RELEASED

1 Luke Dorn (Castleford Tigers) rlhttps://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/13995/8914452/super-league-luke-dorn-back-at-castleford-tigers-on-a-two-year-dealrl
2 Liam Colbon (Released) - No official statement was ever made on the release of this player who is believed to have had one year left on his contract, but he is shown as released on rlhttps://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9142410/super-league-club-by-club-guiderl
3 Jamie O'Callaghan (London Skolars) rlhttps://www.skolarsrl.com/2013/10/22/super-league-star-ocallaghan-signs-for-skolars/rl - since re-joined us
4 David Howell (Released) - rlhttps://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/David-Howell/rl
5 Michael Robertson (Released) - No official statement was ever made on the release of this player who is believed to have had one year left on his contract, but he is shown as released on rlhttps://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9142410/super-league-club-by-club-guiderl
6 Michael Witt (St George Illawarra Dragons) rlhttps://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dragons-sign-michael-witt-on-oneyear-deal-20131129-2yg39.htmlrl
7 Craig Gower (Newcastle Knights 2013, now retired) rlhttps://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/craig-gower-and-bryce-gibbs-expected-to-hang-up-the-boots-20131024-2w3y6.htmlrl
8 Antonio Kaufusi (Huddersfield Giants) rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24367895rl
9 Chad Randall (Retired) rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/23730353rl
10 Mark Bryant (Retired) rlhttps://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/8838883/rl
11 Shane Rodney (Released) - No official statement was ever made on the release of this player who is believed to have had one year left on his contract, but he is shown as released on rlhttps://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9142410/super-league-club-by-club-guiderl
12 Chris Bailey (Huddersfield Giants) - rlhttps://www.giantsrl.com/news/article/2906/giants-sign-exiles-starrl
13 Tony Clubb (Wigan Warriors) - rlhttps://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/181013050-champions-wigan-warriors-already-have-title-defence-mind-double-signing-london-brorl
14 Scott Wheeldon (Castleford Tigers) - rlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC-Hull-KR-prop-Scott-Wheeldon-signs/story-19785017-detail/story.htmlrl
15 Michael Channing (Castleford Tigers) - rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/23203114rl & rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24174719rl
16 Chris Melling (Retired) - rlhttps://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/wolves/10873155.Doing_nothing_by_halves/rl
17 Shane Grady (Dewsbury Rams) rlhttps://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9117535/shane-grady-joins-ramsrl
19 Dan Sarginson (Wigan Warriors)rlhttps://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id
23 Tommy Lee (Salford Red Devils) - rlhttps://www.londonbroncosrl.com/news/5117.php#.Uuu2VvtQE-Irl
25 Alex Hurst (Released) rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25419347rl
26 Ben Fisher (Retired) rlhttps://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/ben-fisher-fired-up-for-last-world-cup-1-3160951rl
29 James Mendeika (Featherstone Rovers) rlhttps://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/sport/featherstone-rovers/mendeika-set-to-add-to-quality-at-featherstone-rovers-1-6175372rl
33 Jamie Soward - (Penrith Panthers) rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/23964881rl
34 Jacob Fairbank (Huddersfield Giants) rlhttps://www.giantsrl.com/locker_room/first_team/player?jacob-fairbankrl
35 Harry Little (Released) rlhttps://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Harry-Little/rl
36 Ryan Shaw (Warrington Wolves) rlhttps://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/wolves/10615097.IT_S_MY_VIEW__New_deals_clear_a_few_things_up/rl
37 Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes) rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25712434rl

I worry about the experience of that side. No mention of Robertson, has he gone?

There are only a couple with more than a dozen top grade appearances.

We'll do well to score any competition points with that squad.

Difficult to know without knowing more about these players what the first 17 will be but i would put Greenwood instead of Krasniqi or Dollapi as from what's been said about him suggests he is a quality player even though still developing.

Maybe, but around this time last year we'd won our 3 pre-season friendlies and everything was looking rosy with the 6 wins at the end of the 2012 campaign. We have a new look for the 2014 season so who knows what the new younger squad may bring.

.....less competition points than 2013 at first glance.

2013 delivered the least amount of wins in a SL season with 2 of the 5 at the end and against teams with nothing to play for.......2014 will see every game count, especially against sides in the "lower" tier.

Young Michael and his ilk will decry me as being negative for negativities sake, but that squad is the weakest I have ever seen us start a season with, every pundit and more importantly, BOOKMAKER has us bolted on for last place and we had about 35 people turn up for an open day at the Hive buying close to 100 season "memberships"......I truly do fear for the future of the club!

Broncos need 9 wins in 2014 to assure a start in SL in 2015......anything less and we start 2015 in the 2nd tier with 500 fans at best and the joy of a bigger better funded SL club hammering us 4 times at home in the sunshine in August......and the squad listed above are our only hope?

I'm with the bookies... I'd place us last at the end of this campaign too. However, there is always the chance that the club may(!!!!) come across some top (Soward style) willing players who could join us for a short time to get us through this season as a bare minimum. It's still all so short term though.

Sean Morris is better described as a winger. He is an RU convert, he first played RL last season. Oxford RL signed him from Oxford Uni RUFC though he has a background at high standard London RU clubs when younger. He looked born to play RL and has genuine pace. There's real raw potential there however he is 23/24 not 17/18. I didn't realise he was on trial, would be a bit of a wildcard signing but if he can polish the rough edges a very interesting one.

9th, I'm still thinking 9th but for no reason whatsoever, and with no real justification, I just believe! It's a bit like God, you either believe or you don't!

There are so many unknowns in this team that they could 'crash and burn' or make fools of the experts who say they are certaintees for the drop.

LBs need some experienced players to hold all this together. A few weeks ago there was very little evidence to suggest we would even make the kick off. Injuries will kick in quite early so the more players we can sign and the more experienced the better. To me this is exciting, I have a team to support, with a ground to play in. I might not like the way things are done, but why bite my nose to spite my face?
My hope is that rather than walk away, fans stay, get behind the team and slowly but surely eventually fight for and secure more say in how London Broncos are run in the future.

Anyone heard of Jon Wallace? According to this tweet he's playing tomorrow @JohnFisherSport "Congratulations to last years 1st XV No.8 Jon Wallace who's been picked by Super League team London Broncos v Catalan Dragons away Saturday"

Came through via Croydon I think. Has been in our junior set up for two or three years. Not seen much of him but he is promising. Wouldn't expect to see too much of him first team yet, only 19 or so.

Nicely put! Not too long ago it didn't look like there'd be a Broncos at all! I'm hoping the supporters trust gets off the ground and also that Jamie Soward starts pining for life in London and comes back to organise things on the park!

Most of the data is now present... just need a bit more on the debutants v Catalans.