They've been in the same place for the last 6 years.


What's simple is that you think they haven't already done fan surveys of where they'd prefer, looked at statistics to see where they got the best crowds, looked at what their finances allow, look at what's available, etc.

What else is simple is how naïve you are in suggesting they just "get their own ground" when you clearly have no idea how much it would cost to not only build a ground but acquire the land in London. It's not like they can just get a loan these days either, is it?


Well, I was on about the first thing, but on this point the reason the club has taken the game on the road is to allow for maintenance.
And as for the dig at Crusaders, I'd say the game has developed quite a foothold their thanks to them in such a short space of time. It's a shame the people running the club were morons.

So in summary, that's what you have no idea about.

The Stoop is absolutely killing RL down here sadly. It's barely London stuck right out there in the west, it has a Twickenham post code rather than a London one and it's RU heartland. It gets absolutely no coverage at all in the Evening Standard and it feels like the club doesn't exist. It's not on the tube lines so it's a bit of a bind to get out to it and then when you get there there are the problems with low crowds, no atmosphere etc.

In the short term they need to get back into town. Loftus Road where my football team plays would be a brilliant venue for it but I can't see QPR wanting a rugby team again after what happened with Wasps. Griffin Park is probably the next best bet. They've already scheduled one of their on the road games this year for Leyton Orient so I suspect the other one may go to Charlton or somewhere like that.

In the medium to long term there are currently two lower league London football clubs desperate for new homes - AFC Wimbledon and Barnet. The Broncos should be in on this from the very beginning, joining forces with one or the other for a purpose built brand new home that they can call their own permanently. QPR also want a new ground although as a Premiership side these days they'll be looking for a 30,000+ arena that would dwarf the Broncos and make the atmosphere issue even worse.

They should build a modern, tight atmospheric ground branded with their own colours with either Wimbledon or Barnet and then stay there. If they still want to take a couple of games around the capital then that's a good thing but there is no future in either The Stoop or moving constantly every few years. The constant moving around denies them any identity, I know it seems like London is just one big place but it's really not. QPR don't consider their games with Charlton and Palace London derbies. The Broncos have played at Charlton, then Brentford and now Twickenham. That would be like Hull playing at Grimsby for a few years and then Wakefield for a few years and now Huddersfield. I can't imagine even our crowds would hold up well in those circumstances. I can get to Hull from Barnet quicker than I can get to Brentford.

The point of taking the bloody game to Milton Keynes or Coventry is lost on me I'm afraid, especially as the Ricoh Arena is just about the worst new stadium built for any sport anywhere in the country.

Totally agree with the location issue and have said so for years. Awful to get to. I lived in Croydon for years and it was a nightmare then. Terrible for people coming from the north.

Good post.Playing you're games in a smaller arena and within the London Borough is a must,if RL is to survive down there.Is there a chance of a permanent link up at Brentford though?

I'm sure I read a piece the other on QPR wanting to move to a bigger place in London. Maybe leave Loftus rd for the Rugby teams ?

Correct, QPR are looking at alternative sites and are aiming for crowds of 45,000.

Loftus Road at 18,000 would be great for London Broncos.

18,000 is slightly big for the 3,000 average of London Broncos!

I know, but it would be a great stadium for them.

But if the ground is more central than Twickenham they may end up with more through the turnstiles. You could argue that a 23000 capacity stadium is a bit big for a club averaging around 11000 too

Who's got a 23000 capacity stadium?

US!

Nice little stadium in south bermondsey they could use

It'd be like the [iBattle of the Boulevard[/i all over again.

Firstly it's worth saying that every new owner who takes over at QPR always immediately says the ground is too small and they need a new one (both correct) only to then find it's completely un-workable and abandoning the idea.
Secondly, although Loftus Road would indeed be an ideal permanent home for the Broncos if QPR left, any new QPR ground is likely to rely heavily on selling Loftus Road for housing and commercial developments to fund it - latest valuation of the ground is £24m, although that was artificially high so that the club was still a 'going concern' in its darkest hour. Having said that there is a covenant on it saying it must remain a sporting facility, but I'm sure they'd get rid of that easily enough.

There was one at the McCain Stadium in Scarborough,and even though they went bust the covenant still existed until recently.The liquidators couldnt sell because of this,so ended up selling it cheap to the council,who in turn have lifted the covenant for housing(tho they have agreed to build a small purpose built stadium for the new Scarborough Athletic fc).

True but Hammersmith and Fulham Council is bending over backwards to try and help its football clubs - three premiership clubs in the second smallest borough in the country randomly - so would probably lift it pretty swiftly if it helped QPR build a new ground in the area. It's about the only thing Hand F council has going for it.

wouldn't be H&F's decision, would need a ruling from a court.

can't london broncos just ask the rugby union bosses to see if they can use Twickenham ground across the road for this game

Anyway, ther first one is at Brisbane Road, Leyton, home of Leyton Orient.

Okay venue (a bit like Brentford) but in a horrible area. Hard to get to, bad parking. Run-down area of London.
Bulls are welcome to it.

Would prefer ours to be somehwre else but if this is a try-out for east london then they won't use it twice. Can't see QPR putting a game on now they are in Premier league (same goes for Fulham). They have tried North, West and South of London before so lets hope they come up to the midlands. Wonder if the the league have asked them to try Northampton ? Soulless place, a bit like Glanford park !

Sorry to dig up old topics but, has anyone any idea where this game is due to be played? Find it annoying as an FC fan that here we are, 5 weeks till the season KO (and with the festive period inc New Year likely to mean Tues 3rd Jan being the earliest announcement date, thus 4 weeks from KO!!!), and we still have no firm venue! Its winding me up to be honest as I want to book hotels and travel arrangements earliest and strive for 'early bird' deals (no pun intended!), and thats just me and I live close by in PORTSMOUTH! Think FC should try and push for a firm decision, for team and supporters plans alike.
Wake up Broncos!!!

More than likely to be Charlton. They've said its going to be in South East London. So either Charlton or Millwall, unless they stretch as far as Gillingham. No chance of it being anywhere near the midlands.

GILLINGHAM?!?!? Well, I have been there, a few months ago actually, and its nothing special to be honest............ although it would be great for me as the in-laws live down the road in Sheppy!!!! For preference though, out of the three you mentioned, I'd go for Charlton. Went there before when the Broncos were based there. Seem to remember some decent pubs around the ground, which were welcoming and friendly. Haven't been to Millwall but its reputation speaks volumes! Not sure what the locals there or in Gillingham would make of the FC travelling army!

Leicester is only a spit away from Coventry and i'd say will come within the Coventry pyramid.

Could be time for your lot to scope out the hotel situation in Gillingham (it won't take long)

Is Gillingham confirmed then? Oh well, quite handy for me really. Either a long weekend at the in-laws in Sheppy or another visit to the King Charles Hotel!!!!