Will Lovell: “This is nothing we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we get ready for the new season.”
Will Lovell: “This is nothing we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we get ready for the new season.”
London Broncos captain Will Lovell has issued a rallying call ahead of the new season getting underway in January.
Now 31, Will has been with the club since the age of 16 and has played 173 times for the club, winning two Championship titles along the way. The Northampton born second rower has seen it all in his time at the club and believes that despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, it will come through the other side.
Speaking to London Broncos media Lovell said it was good news that the club were able to secure some experienced players for the upcoming season;
“It’s really good to have those boys on board; Alex, Lewis, Sid and Stocky. Keeping that core rotation of players that know the club and its values and what it offers.
“I’m really happy the club has come through what would be probably a little bit of a difficult period but it is not anything we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we are ready to go for the new season.”
In the 2024 Super League season the club and players were full-time however, due largely to the IMG grading condemning the club to effective relegation before the season started, it opted to allow some players to stay part-time. One of those part-time players was Lovell who combined captaining the club with being a school teacher. Combining the two would be a challenge for anyone but in the 2024 season Lovell would play in every single Super League game and was ranked 2nd in the entire league for tackles made.
Lovell says that despite his advancing years he is feeling fitter than ever;
“I’ve come back a little bit lighter this year (for pre-season). As you get older you need to look after the body a little bit more.
“It’s something that I pride myself on being fit and I know as a right-sided back rower you’re to be in and amongst it for the large majority of the games. It was quite an accolade to see myself up there (tackling stats) and obviously bitterly disappointed with how that season ended but I say that with a lot of pride because as a team I feel we achieved a lot last season.”
2025 could be a big season on a personal level for Lovell as he eyes up the record for London Broncos appearances. He is currently 4th-all-time on 173 with Steele Retchless number 1 with 202 appearances.
If Lovell was to feature in all league games next season and appear in any cup and play-off games he could take that top spot. With teammate Alex Walker just behind him on 170, Lovell admits it’s something they both want to achieve;
“I can’t lie, it’s something that’s out there. It’s something I’ve now looked at and what a great achievement that would be, whether it's me or Alex that does that I will be made up. I remember Alex coming through for his first game and I remember back to me as a young 16-year-old coming down to London I never would have dreamed to have made this many appearances for the club. I’m very humble and very proud to represent this club in the way that I do.”
Will Lovell is sponsored by Rob & Mandy Smith
