London Broncos in Ebbsfleet: A brief history

James Booth • 10 July 2024

This Friday’s fixture will be the fifth game in the past three seasons that the Broncos have played in Kent and will be the first Super League fixture which has taken place at the Kuflink Stadium. So, what is the relationship between the Broncos and Ebbsfleet and why do we come back to this ground each season? Carry on reading to find out…

 

When sharing a stadium with a football team who play the bulk of their season during the winter, there is always going to be a level of complication when it comes to the football offseason and the condition of their pitch ahead of the next season. Therefore, for the couple of months which AFC Wimbledon need to take care of their pitch to make sure that it is in optimal condition ahead of the new season, we need a temporary new home to play our games, and this is where Ebbsfleet United FC comes in.

 

Luckily, when searching for a temporary home in 2022 during our first year at Wimbledon we came across Ebbsfleet United & CEO Damian Irvine, an Australian who has previously been the chairman of NRL side Cronulla Sharks in addition to working with English Rugby League teams Bradford Bulls & Hunslet RLFC who was more than happy to establish a relationship with the Broncos to bring Rugby League to Kent.

 

The first Broncos game at Ebbsfleet came on July 3rd, 2022, against Sheffield Eagles where we achieved the biggest come back in Rugby League history, overturning a 0-28 deficit at half time to win 36-28 in the dying embers of the game. Take a look below to see some of the best images from our first game in Kent!


The Broncos second game at Ebbsfleet came a week later, on July 10th, where we took on and unfortunately were beaten 22-42 by Featherstone Rovers. This has been the only loss which we have suffered at the Kuflink Stadium.


Despite the loss to Featherstone Rovers in 2022, we observed some very strong support by those local to Kent and recognised an excellent opportunity to grow a new fanbase within the area and this, in addition to the strong relations which the Broncos & Ebbsfleet United had established, were key factors in our decision to carry on using the using the Kuflink stadium to play our games, so we decided to return in 2023 to play two more fixtures.

 

The first of the Broncos’ two fixtures at Kuflink stadium in the 2023 Championship season was against bottom of the table Newcastle Thunder on July 2nd, who we defeated 56-10!


We then played our second Ebbsfleet game of the 2023 season 6 days later, on the 8th of July vs Toulouse Olympique, who were 2nd in the Championship table at the time. Much to the enjoyment of those in attendance we defeated Toulouse 22-6 and was arguably one of the most important games which helped us secure a playoff place, leading to our Championship Play Off final victory and promotion into the Super League! Check out some of the best images from this game below!


Now, on Friday, we return to Ebbsfleet for the third successive season, this time bringing Super League Rugby with us as we take on Castleford Tigers! If you have not yet gotten your tickets for this event, you are not too late- all that you need to do it click the button below and secure your tickets now!

 

Get your tickets here!

TEAM NEWS: London Broncos vs York Knights

by Jake Watson • 3 May 2025
TEAM NEWS: London Broncos vs York Knights Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Round 9 Championship clash with York Knights at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. There are four changes to the team that lost to Halifax last week as Aaron Small, Lennie Ellis, Kian McDermott and Lukas Mason all come into start. Jenson Binks returns to the matchday squad but Lewis Bienek misses out with injury. #WeAreLondon

MATCHDAY GUIDE

by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
MATCHDAY GUIDE

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by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
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by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights London Broncos play host to York Knights on Saturday but can you tell me what players that have had both clubs play host to them? We have picked out some to have played for both in recent years but can you add any more to the list below? SAM DAVIS A London Broncos academy product, the Leicester born hooker has enjoyed two spells in the capital, sandwiched either side of a spell in the yellow and black of York. Davis played for London between 2016-2021 before moving to York signing a two year deal, however injuries meant he never really settled and rejoined London in 2023 initially on loan before signing permanent terms.  Following relegation from Super League at the end of the 2024 season Davis would move to Salford however financial issues there has meant Davis has once again signed dual-registration terms. So, whilst it won’t be this weekend we could see more of Sammy in a Broncos jersey in the future.

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by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
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THROWBACK THURSDAY: London Broncos MAGIC!

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
THROWBACK THURSDAY: London Broncos MAGIC! On the eve of this year's Magic Weekend what better time to re-live our spectacular performance in the 2024 showpiece. London Broncos vs Hull FC was the opening game of the Weekend at Elland Road with both sides desperately looking to avoid finishing bottom of the division. Whilst The Black & Whites would finish off bottom spot by points difference it was Mike Eccles' side who would take the plaudits at Magic Weekend with a 29-4 win. Re-live the day with some of the best images and the video highlights below. #WeAreLondon

ANNOUNCEMENT: Sheffield Eagles match moved to Rosslyn Park

by Jake Watson • 30 April 2025
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Sullivan Shield Match

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
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IT'S GAMEWEEK!!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday as we welcome York Knights to SW17 for Round 9 of the 2025 Championship campaign. The Broncos, who lost their first home league game of the season, in the previous home game against Batley will be looking to right those wrongs with a much needed win. The visitors currently sit in 6th place in the league table following 4 wins and 4 defeats from their opening 8 games. The game will take place on Saturday with a 5pm kick off with gates opening at 3pm. Ticket information and details can be found below. 

Paul Sykes breaks another record!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
Paul Sykes breaks another record! London Broncos all-time record points scorer Paul Sykes has become the first player in history to play in 27 consecutive seasons – and according to the Rugby League Record Keepers Club, that’s a new record. Sykes, who will turn 44 in August and was a member of the England squad for the 2008 World Cup, made his first competitive appearance of the 2025 season for Dewsbury Rams in Sunday’s Betfred League One fixture against Rochdale Hornets. And the man who previously held that record is Gus Risman, the Welsh Rugby League great who was a founder member of the sport’s Hall of Fame, having come north to play for Salford in 1929, then moved to Cumbria after the War to make more than 300 appearances for Workington Town, leading them to Wembley victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1952 Challenge Cup Final.
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