MIKE ECCLES: PROGRAMME NOTES

Jake Watson • 9 March 2024

Our tough luck continued last weekend, losing Sid in the team run and Dean after barely a minute of the match. Then to lose the game with what would have likely been our last defensive effort of the match was difficult to take. But the pride in the shirt and out right defiance to not let the setbacks of losing Sid and Dean affect us and to take the game to Hull FC on their own patch like we did showed tremendous character. I thought our skill level was tremendous too. Against Saints our execution was poor and against Catalans our kicking game and inability to execute our game plan was off point. Against Hull FC though we absolutely nailed our kicking game and showed fantastic skill and execution to take our opportunities. A sure sign that the team is learning and developing week on week. We will look for further improvement and progress in other areas today against a very good Wigan side. It's important that we keep progressing and keep the focus on ourselves as opposed to Wigan as we continue to learn and develop into a Super League side.


Moving on to this weekend, how better could we back up our best attendance for over a decade against Catalans than to welcome the reigning Super Leage and World Club Champions here at the Cherry Red Records stadium? Another incredibly exciting opportunity for us as a club to both acknowledge how far we've come in such a short space of time, but also to display to rugby league world the buzz around the club right now and the bright future ahead.


Regarding the team, today we welcome back Alex walker onto the bench after a sustained period in the rehab room. I'm sure you're as happy to see him back as I am. Sid is still not quite right following an impact to his quad in the Catalans game but will certainly be back in contention next week. Dean has the mandatory 12 day shut down after a failed HIA but will be back next week for Warrington.


Enjoy the game and get behind the boys as we take on the world's best.


Thanks always for your support,

Mike

by Jake Watson 31 July 2025
Iliess Macani in the Legends Lounge! London Broncos are delighted to announce Iliess Macani will be our special guest for the upcoming home game against Toulouse Olympique on August 10th (1pm KO). The Tottenham born winger played 140 times for the club scoring 68 tries - ranking him 8th all time for the club.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records on Sunday for the first time since the game with Widnes Vikings on May 31st. Mike Eccles side now have four remaining home league games in Wimbledon and are calling on the support of our fantastic supporters to help us finish the season strongly. Hospitality tickets for the 'Legends Lounge' & 'Broncos Bar' can be purchased from the link below.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
HIGHLIGHTS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos London Broncos travelled up to Featherstone Rovers in a Championship fixture between two of the in-form sides in the division. To watch back full extended highlights of the game watch the video below or head to our YouTube channel to watch the full game back.
by Jake Watson 28 July 2025
EMILIA'S BIG DAY It's not long now until we welcome Emilia and DKMS to The Cherry Red Records Stadium for her big day! - London Broncos will host ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ to celebrate young cancer survivor whose life was saved by a stem cell donor. - Supporters can join the stem cell donor register with a simple mouth swab - This is part of a partnership with DKMS : inspired by lifelong rugby league fan whose baby son needed a stem cell transplant. ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ is a major peak in a partnership between Broncos and DKMS, which encourages rugby fans to become potential lifesavers by joining the stem cell donor register. Emilia Mackay, 7, was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder, and required weekly blood and platelet transfusions just to survive. Doctors said that she needed a stem cell transplant, but unfortunately, no one in her family was a match, so a global search began to find a stranger who could save her life. Emilia’s dad, James Mackay, says, “As a parent, my child being diagnosed with such a serious illness was my worst nightmare. When we knew that Emilia’s future would rely on someone from the stem cell donor register, it was terrifying.” Fortunately for Emilia, a stranger in Germany had signed up to the DKMS donor register and was identified as a match. They agreed to donate their stem cells, which were then flown to the UK before being quickly transferred to the hospital where Emilia was being cared for. Emilia is now in remission, and since her transplant at the end of 2023, she has been thriving. James says, “Emilia’s donor changed everything for us. It’s obviously very emotional; the kindness of a random stranger means that my daughter has been given another chance at life. We’re so happy that she is well enough to do the things she loves, and that we can attend rugby games as a family. We are so excited for the event with Broncos and DKMS -- we won’t just be celebrating Emilia, we’ll also be adding more people to the register so that more patients like her can get a second chance at life”.
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
MATCH GALLERY: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos It was a frustrating afternoon as the Broncos were beaten by Featherstone Roves at the Millennium Stadium. Marcus Stock and Alex Walker had given the Broncos the lead at half-time but Rovers proved too strong in the second half running out eventual 36-18 winners. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
POST-MATCH REACTION: Eccles reacts to Featherstone defeat London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles bemoaned a lack of experience and getting some tough officiating calls as they went down 36-18 to Featherstone Rovers. The Broncos had led 12-4 at the break but the home side used the hill to their advantage in the second half and proved too strong. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 27 July 2025
TEAM NEWS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Round 19 Championship fixture with Featherstone Rovers at the Millennium Stadium. There is just one change to the starting 13 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week as Aaron Small comes in for Louix Gorman. Dan Okoro is named as an interchange after joining from Warrington Wolves on loan. #WeAreLondon
by Jake Watson 26 July 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos We move into Round 19 of the Championship season on Sunday with another away trip as this week we head to Featherstone Rovers. This will be the third time the two sides have met this season after Broncos won the home league game before Rovers were to take the win in the 1895 Cup Quarter Final. Mike Eccles side will come into the game in good form having won 48-6 at the weekend against Sheffield and now three wins from the last four games. SQUAD INFO Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There are only two changes to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
by Jake Watson 25 July 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There is only two change to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
by Jake Watson 24 July 2025
INTERVIEW: Dan Okoro joins on loan Warrington Wolves prop Dan Okoro has joined the club on loan until the end of the season and believes the club is a good fit for him as he looks to gain some all important game-time. The 22-year-old Hull KR academy product has had numerous stints on loan in the Championship, particularly impressing whilst at Bradford which earned him his move to Warrington. Watch the full interview with Dan below.
More posts