Mike Eccles Programme Notes: "Welcome to Ebbsfleet"

Jake Watson • 12 July 2024

Welcome back to Ebbsfleet to all of our loyal supporters. For some of you local to the Kuflink stadium we have taken off the best part of an hours commute for you today. Whilst for some of you, we appreciate your efforts to get over from wherever you have travelled. Either way, thank you as always for your unwavering support for the team, it will be great to see you all over here in Kent. 


Last week I believe we produced our best performance of the season, despite not getting the result. On another day we walk away with the win, but it wasn't to be. The players should take huge confidence from the performance irrespective of the loss as we really took it to a very strong Leeds team in their own back yard. 


This week it's our hope that we can continue to show improvement. Results are important but performance is crucial. It's important to me that we put in a performance every week now until the end of the season. It will still be extremely tough for us, but we have done a lot of learning in the first half of the season and been taught some harsh lessons.

But with the attitude and application the players are showing at training and their willingness and drive to improve, alongside a fully fit squad, I'm hopeful we can have a much better second half of the season. 


Regarding the squad. We are pretty much at full health. For this first time this season we have had 13 vs 13 in training which has provided obvious competition for places. Subsequently the stakes are raised, training standards improve and the whole squad benefits. Whilst the boys always apply themselves well and prepare properly, you can't beat genuine competition for places to squeeze the very best out of everyone. 


Whilst competition for places is now in play, I have actually named an almost identical team to last week. Just the one change with Butler in for Williams. 


Expect a very physical affair tonight against a Castleford team bang in form. In their last there they have won away at saints and lost by less than a try to Wigan and KR respectively. It will prove to be yet another great challenge. But hopefully our own recent upturn in performance coupled with our solid record here at the Kuflink stadium will see us take the spoils. 


Enjoy the game,

Mike

MATCHDAY GUIDE

by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
MATCHDAY GUIDE

MATCH PREVIEW: London Broncos vs York Knights

by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: London Broncos vs York Knights London Broncos welcome Championship rivals York Knights to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to put a stop to a run of three consecutive defeats. On the other side York have won 5 of their previous 6 games with the only defeat coming against Featherstone in a tightly contested affair being decided by just two points. For the Broncos they have performed strongly at home with the only home defeat coming against Batley who scored a try in the last moments of the game to steal the points. The 21-man squad selected by Mike Eccles is available below. Jenson Binks returns to the squad after missing the defeat to Halifax under HIA protocol in a welcome boost. Meanwhile, Lukas Mason & Kian McDermott return from Wigan Warriors after being unavailable for the previous few games. Emmanuel Waine plays the second game of his two week loan and Lennie Ellis joins Louix Gorman is coming from Hull KR and goes straight into the 21. Lennie Ellis is a 19-year-old half and hooker who made his first team debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Last season he played on loan in the Championship with Whitehaven and earlier this season played for Goole in League One.

WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights

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.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs York Knights

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs York Knights Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to face York Knights on Saturday (5pm KO) at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Jenson Binks returns to the squad after missing the defeat to Halifax under HIA protocol in a welcome boost. Meanwhile, Lukas Mason & Kian McDermott return from Wigan Warriors after being unavailable for the previous few games. Emmanuel Waine plays the second game of his two week loan and Lennie Ellis joins Louix Gorman in coming from Hull KR and goes straight into the 21. Lennie Ellis is a 19-year-old half and hooker who made his first team debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Last season he played on loan in the Championship with Whitehaven and earlier this season played for Goole in League One.

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
ANNOUNCEMENT: Sheffield Eagles match moved to Rosslyn Park FC London Broncos can confirm that the upcoming match with Sheffield Eagles on May 11th will now take place at Rosslyn Park FC. The decision has been made due to the uncertainty of the availability around The Cherry Red Records stadium with AFC Wimbledon potentially in play-off action on this date. Despite no current game definitely taking place on this date we have decided to make the decision now to avoid any late changes and allow fans from both teams to arrange necessary travel arrangements. The venue of the club's training ground at Rosslyn Park FC has been chosen to host this fixture due to its familiarity to supporters and players and therefore retaining home advantage. Rosslyn Park FC was the Club’s home ground during the 2021 season and has since been used to host fixtures for the London Broncos Women and the men’s Challenge Cup & 1895 Cup fixtures.

Sullivan Shield Match

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
SULLIVAN SHIELD MATCH The 5th John Sullivan Trophy will take place on Saturday, May 24th at Harpenden Rugby Club. The game takes place in memory of former London Broncos academy player John Sullivan who tragically took his own life in 2014. The event aims to raise awareness of the issue of young male suicide and the importance of mental health more generally, in addition to raising funds for the Sullivan family’s chosen charity CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably .

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.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 28 April 2025
FULL MATCH REPLAY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos You can now watch back the full 80 minutes of London Broncos Championship trip to Halifax at The Shay. #WeAreLondon
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