I'll add to all the thanks, Plummy. Google thinks this guy's nickname is AJ. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arana_Taumata Seems like the sort of guy we might end up with. Quite "colourful" you might say.

I'll add to all the thanks, Plummy. Google thinks this guy's nickname is AJ. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arana_Taumata Seems like the sort of guy we might end up with. Quite "colourful" you might say.

Top work Plummy!

Gooner:
Google search for:
rugby league player aj
gives me the Wikipedia link and also says he's AJ

I am hearing we are in talks with Ryan Brierley from Leigh. Try scoring half back. Championship young player of the year

Ive only seen videos of this lad on youtube . Looks a good strike player with plenty of speed to get to the line. Does anyone know what his all round game is like?

I thought we'd given up on wasting time trying to persuade players to move South. I was hoping we'd get a gem from the South Sea Islanders.

Well done PC Plum thank you for the info.
Equivalent to about 20 press releases or statements on LB Website.

He went well with Cas Tigers as a junior but didn't make the step up to first team. A very good young championship player with pace but would get mullered at SL level IMO. I would be very surrprised if he choose to move away from Leigh.

Would fit in well at the Broncos then.

Further update regarding "activity" at the Club: (received via jungle drums, not SMS)
Friday witnessed a meeting between the 2013 sponsors and the CEO with a view to extending the deal into 2014. I hear that a "London Broncos Marketing Plan" was requested by Selco, which in my opinion will have to come from the RFL, because their is no incentive for the Club to put one together and I doubt the Hive staff have the slightest idea what appeals to egg chasing northerners!

2014's plan seems to be more of the same at half the price....

PC Plum has been doing a little more ‘helpful’ investigation, visiting the Hive yesterday for the visit of Alfreton Town. I met up with a mate of mine who has been watching the Bees (and the odd Broncos game) for years and I chanced upon one current and one lapsed Bronco fan on the visit. Bear in mind the crowd was 1400, so possibly not too dissimilar to our potential crowds (?) and the stadium capacity of over 5000. Also, the set up might be different for us.

Access – I drove and the road network serving the groundis pretty decent, about 10mins from either the A1 or M1/M25. Cannons Park tube is within a very easy walk and Mill Hill Broadway a bus drive or brisk half hour on foot. (Marks: 8/10)

Parking - Plenty of parking at the ground. There are parking places set aside for Premium Members at Barnet for which they pay more (but doesn’t strike me they get much value) and a general parking area. You pass through a barrier and have to buy a token for £5 from the shop. Not really a great issue. I got away on the stroke of full time so simple exit (Marks: 6/10)

Layout - Very simple. Access to both stand and home terrace is local to car park and the away section at the other end. There is a ticket office also on hand. Pay on the gate West Stand Premium £23, West Stand General £20, Terrace £16(?), East Stand £23(?), not clear on concessions, I think £5. My mate is on the membership scheme for which he pays £29/month (£2/month concess) and can watch all the games played each month. I have no idea how it will work for Broncos. (Marks: 8/10)

Refreshments - There appeared to be enough outlets for snacks and drinks, one serving each area and one or two outside. There didn’t appear to be too many queues before the game, but I have heard complaints about service etc. There is a decent, well-appointed bar under the West Stand (nominally only available to Premium Members but I walked in). TVs, seating, a shorter version of the long bar at Quins. On the East Stand there is another bar which I have been to on a non-match day. Really nicely done up. I can’t comment on quality of food or beer (sorry !) (Marks: 7/10)

Stand / view: Really good view from the West Stand, I was high up centre line, perfect for rugby league. Terracing at either end, small stand opposite, really good IMO. The away fans are segregated in the stand and the terracing (they have their own refreshments, etc.) – I hope this is the case for the Broncos. Modern stand, so prefab, plenty of banging on the panels and stamping of feet, making for a decent atmosphere. (Marks: 9/10)

Stewarding: Plenty of stewarding inside and outside ground. Very helpful and visible. I didn’t show a ticket and got into Premium section unquestioned – remind you of anywhere !!! (Marks: 5/10)

General stuff: Excellent tannoy system, and announcer positioned behind dug outs so full and clear updates on subs, teams, etc. Floodlights excellent.

Concerns: How a rugby league pitch fit on a football pitch with proximity of hoardings etc. but it’s been done before so guess it’s not an issue. No score board.

On the whole a really good experience and I sat with my Broncos hat on thinking this won’t be too bad (subject to what happens on the field). I would urge anyone who is in two minds to give it a go; I don’t think you will be disappointed.

The 'current' Broncos fan you were sat next to was me, Mr Plum!

My impressions of the Hive were mixed. Ground itself is a good solid facility, the organisation not so good.

Upon my arrival I was not allowed into the main Hive bar without some sort of proof identifying me as a Barnet member or ticket holder....since I was waiting for a fan with a ticket for me, this presented something of an issue and I had to duck into the Club Shop to avoid the rain deluge. Minor gripe but still......I hope the bar policy for Broncos RL games is a bit more relaxed.

Sight lines from the West Stand are good, darthchris will be pleased to report that walkways are extremely small. There's a bar underneath the West Stand for those with the priciest memberships. The Barnet fan I was with grumbled that this bar is largely understaffed. Which sounds familiar.

Getting to the ground from Baker Street is a doddle, as long as you get the fast metropolitan line to Wembley Park and then change onto the Jubilee Line, the journey is sub 30 minutes so comparable to the Stoop (although still a right pain for us south Londoners)

Also a shout out to Alfreton Town for putting in one of the most anaemic displays of football I have seen in quite some time.