December 20 – London’s only top level Rugby League side, London Broncos, have agreed a two-year ground share with Barnet Football Club, relegated last year to the Football Conference, England’s fifth tier of football.
Barnet, who are playing their first season at their new ground, The Hive, have Edgar Davids, one of the world’s most iconio footballers as their player-manager.
The deal will also see the London Broncos share the Underhill training ground (Barnet’s former stadium) with the football club.
Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous said: “We are delighted to welcome the London Broncos into our family at The Hive.”
The deal effectively saves London Broncos from administration and Kleanthous has been very involved with both the club and Football League in making the deal happen.
For the football club it brings more usage of the new 5,176 capacity stadium, especially in the summer months when the Super League season is at its height.
For months it looked like the Broncos were going out of business – without a ground and with leading players quitting to play for northern-based clubs in the traditional heartland of Rugby League in England (the south of the country is dominated by Rugby Union).
The deal with Barnet means the sport retains a top level foothold in the capital as the only Super League franchise – an opportunity that owners have consistently been unable to monetise to date.
How far the two teams will be able to share administration and marketing costs as they both battle in aggressive commercial marketplaces, has not been released. However, the joint sporting model and cross-promotional opportunities on paper make sense as Barnet battle to return to the Football League and London Broncos fight to retain their Super League status.
Certainly the joint deal will raise the awareness of the two clubs in London with the media and increase the opportunities to fill the stadium.
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