London Broncos announce plans to move to Ealiing
Thursday 13 August 2015 12:45, UK
London Broncos have announced they will leave The Hive in Edgware to move to Ealing in west London next year.
The Kingstone Press Championship outfit, who have played at the home of Barnet FC for the past two years, have agreed a three-year deal to base themselves at Trailfinders Sports Club.
It is yet another change of location for the much-travelled capital club, who have had eight homes, some for more than one spell, since being founded as Fulham in 1980.
The Broncos' average crowds have dwindled to around 500 since their relegation from Super League last season and they believe the more modest base will allow them to readjust and move forward.
One of the attractions of the home of Ealing Trailfinders RFC is its artificial pitch, which will allow the Broncos' senior and academy sides to train and play on site. Capacity at the ground is 3,020 - with seating for 1,020 - but there is room for expansion should the club regain a top-flight place.
Broncos general manager Jason Loubser said: "We feel very strongly that this move will enable us to plan a sustainable long-term future for the club.
"Based on our 2015 league position, we will receive a significantly reduced central distribution payment, so to enable the club to maintain a full-time squad in 2016 we had to look at ways of both reducing our outgoings and increasing our revenue streams.
"We appreciate that supporters may see this as a backward step in terms of seating capacity at the new venue but, with the crowd numbers as they have been this season, we feel that the ground will be adequate and a better atmosphere can be created."
