London Broncos at the Stoop- a brief history
The relationship between London Broncos and Twickenham Stoop is one that has played a big part in the Broncos history. With various spells at the ground (1995, 1997-1999, 2006-2013), the Stoop has played host to a variety of games & competitions including the Regal Trophy, Challenge Cup, Super League & World Club Challenge. So, what is the history behind the Broncos’ playing at the Stoop? Carry on reading to find out…
The Broncos played their first game at the Stoop on November 1st, 1995, vs St Helens, where the Saints left London 34-50 winners in front of a crowd of 1,561. The Broncos played 4 games at the Stoop in this season and shared the stadium with Harlequins Rugby Union in the 1995/96 shortened season, including 3 Championship (first division) games and a Regal Trophy 3rd round fixture vs Halifax.
The Broncos then left the Stoop for the 1996 season, playing instead at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium before signing a three-year deal to return to the Stoop between 1997-99. This three-year period may be considered some of the brightest years in the club’s history with the team making the challenge cup final (1999) as well as securing a second-place finish in the Super League (1997), the highest position which we have finished in the Super League table to date. Some feature games/moments of this first tenure at the Stoop include victory over Canberra in the 1997 World Club Challenge (38-18), a quarter final Challenge Cup victory vs Hull KR in 1998 (46-18) & a quarter final Challenge Cup victory in 1999 vs Whitehaven (54-6).
After 1999, and seven years playing away from the Stoop, the Broncos eventually made their way back over to Twickenham on a permanent basis (2006-2013) after forming a partnership with Harlequins RUFC which would include a name change to Harlequins Rugby League. In Harlequins RL’s first season (2006), the team finished 7th in the Super League with a record of 11 wins, 1 draw and 16 losses.
In 2008, Harlequins RL secured themselves a license to play in the topflight of Rugby League until at least 2010, providing opportunities to sign and utilise legends of the club including Chad Randall (197 appearances), Karl Temata (137 appearances), Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (97 appearances), Rob Purdham (197 appearences), Danny Ward (103 appearences playing & 67 games coaching between 2018-21) & Tony Clubb (154 appearences) just to name a few.
Once more, in 2011, Harlequins RL secured themselves another three-year license to play Super League rugby until 2013, where they finished 12th/14 in 2011 & 2012 and then finished 13th/14 in 2013. Harlequins RL’s final game at the Stoop was played on 17th August 2013 (a 12-26 loss to Huddersfield Giants) and has remained the final London Rugby League played at the Stoop- until this Sunday!
Check out some of the best images from our time at the Stoop:
Records/stats:
Most appearances by a London Rugby League player at Twickenham Stoop:
1) 93- Chad Randall
2) 74- Tony Clubb
3) 70- Chris Melling
Most try’s by a London Rugby League player at Twickenham Stoop:
1) 52- Luke Dorn
2) 25- Chad Randall
3) 23- Tony Clubb/Chris Melling
Most points scored by a London Rugby League player at Twickenham Stoop:
1) 218- Rob Purdham
2) 208- Luke Dorn
3) 160- Danny Orr
Biggest Crowds for London Rugby League game at Twickenham Stoop:
1) 12,301- Harlequins RL vs Huddersfield Giants (29/4/2006)
2) 9,846- London Broncos vs Brisbane Broncos (27/7/2007)
3) 9,166- London Broncos vs Bradford Bulls (31/8/1997)
