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.

I am not sure what your gauge is ? For me it is a perfect ground for a club attracting 2500 fans, some of who want to stand, others sit, and is family friendly / modern.

I always liked the kids area and the side attractions, face painting, etc. Will we see these add ons under the new regime or have they gone the way of most of the staff ?



TBH I only really chatted to my mate. He is a cornerstone of the club and even he is unclear on how the arrangement is going to work. For example he knows he can let his membership run yearlong and catch every game at the Hive, but he could also cancel at end of the of footie season .... but would need to pay an admin fee to get it started again. Thought: with the seasons overlapping, maybe the idea is to take the stance that a membership covers all matches / codes at the Hive and just maybe interested Bees fans will get along.

Thanks for all of this, PC Plum - wonderful information for us mushrooms.

Your posts hit on one point for me: how hard would it have been for the club (either side of it) to put together some similar? An hour, given they're there and have all the information? If they don't want to address "confidential negotiations", or the negative items, why not put some positive information?

One of Leigh's directors has just posted that Ryan is going nowhere

Great info and reconnaissance!Thanks PC Plum!Plus a Barnet win yesterday as well!I'll be supporting Barnet and Broncos this year.The more Broncos kitted fans at Barnet games the greater the possibility that it may endear us to our new big brother.

As you said, fingers crossed we get some Barnet fans to Broncos games as well. Amongst the doom and gloom, sometimes persistent doom and gloom, it's time to focus on the positives and look forward to our new home-with a potential to become a permanent home for years to come!

As has Ryan on Facebook, apparently.

Suddenly hit me why the club thought black and blue are the colours the management see as the fans colours

They don't even feed us that often.

Is that a mushroom or a toadstool ?