See Harlequin F.C. for the sister rugby union club Harlequins Rugby League is a rugby league club representing the greater London area. They are currently the premier rugby league side in London, and play in the European Super League. They have since been joined in the professional ranks by the London Skolars in 2003. The capital also has a number of amateur teams, including London Griffins who are the team of Harlequins' supporters. Until the end of the 2005 season they were known as London Broncos , playing their last game under that name on 23 September 2005 and changing their name officially on 17 October 2005. Their current name is also shortened to Harlequins RL or Quins RL . They had also previously gone by the names Fulham and London Crusaders . The club play at The Stoop, home of the Harlequins rugby union club. The home shirt is very similar to the union club's famous multi-coloured quartered jersey (light blue, magenta, chocolate, French grey, black & green). It does, however, incorporate a Rugby League twist with the quarters forming a slight "v" shape. The away shirt for the 2009 season features pale blue and white quarters, and a predominantly black training shirt is also available. The club's major shirt sponsor for this season is St Mary's University College, Twickenham

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History

Previous rugby league clubs in London

Professional rugby league was briefly represented in London in the 1930s by London Highfield (who played only one season), Acton & Willesden (also one season) and Streatham & Mitcham (one and a half seasons). All were ultimately driven out of business through poor finances.

Fulham

Thereafter, the sport in England remained exclusively a northern game until June 1980, when Fulham Football Club announced the formation of a rugby league team, with the primary intention of creating another income stream for the soccer club. The Rugby Football League (RFL), keen to expand the sport beyond its traditional northern heartland, instantly accepted the new club and one of the game's leading players, Reg Bowden, was recruited to act as player-coach. Within weeks, Bowden had assembled a team of experienced players, together with a few youngsters. Nearly 10,000 curious fans turned up for the opening game at Craven Cottage, most of whom were watching their first ever live Rugby League match. The newly formed side surprisingly beat highly regarded Wigan 24-5. Fulham RL went on to win promotion at the end of their inaugural season.

After the euphoria generated in their initial season, immediate relegation in 1981-82 was a sobering reality check. Despite winning the Division Two Championship the following year, a second immediate relegation coupled with continuing financial losses saw the plug pulled by the parent soccer club at the end of their fourth season. However with the backing of supporters Roy and Barbara Close, and with an enthusiastic new coach, Roy Lester, Fulham RL still had a future.

Between 1984 and 1994 the club spent periods based at Crystal Palace (1984-5 and 1990-3) and Chiswick Polytechnic Sports Ground (1985-90). This decade was noted for its continued struggle both on and off the pitch, but the club still managed to keep its head just above water. They also played one-off games at places such as Wealdstone F.C. and Chelsea F.C.'s ground Stamford Bridge in 1983. They also played matches at the home grounds of Brentford F.C. and semi professional football side Hendon F.C.

London Crusaders

A 1991 name change to 'London Crusaders' coincided with an entertaining period on the pitch. The climax of this spell was a 1994 appearance in the Divisional Premiership Final under coach Tony Gordon.

The Crusaders moved from Crystal Palace to Barnet Copthall in 1993. The RFL briefly owned the Crusaders in 93/94 as the Bartrams departed.

London Broncos

In the spring of 1994 it was announced that the Australian NSWRL side the Brisbane Broncos was buying the club, which would be renamed 'London Broncos'. Gordon was replaced by a Brisbane coach, Gary Grienke. In 1996, despite not playing in the top flight, the London Broncos were selected by the RFL to be part of the new Super League on the basis that it was essential for the sport to have a high profile representative in the capital. Former Brisbane Bronco Tony Currie took up the role of Head Coach. The club moved to The Valley, the home ground of Charlton Athletic F.C.. The 1996 season brought the best attendances since the inaugural season at Craven Cottage. Tony Rea retired from playing at the end of the season to take up the Chief Executive role at the club.

After two years they moved once again, to the Harlequin rugby union club's Stoop Memorial Ground. Richard Branson's Virgin Group became majority shareholders, and the immediate future looked very bright. In 1997, after a remarkably good season they finished second in Super League. Highlights that year included victories at the Stoop over Canberra in the World Club Challenge and Bradford and Wigan in Super League II.

In 1998, as part of rugby league's "on the road" scheme London Broncos played Bradford Bulls at Tynecastle in Edinburgh in front of over 7,000 fans. Success continued in 1998 with a first appearance in the Challenge Cup semi-finals, losing to Wigan. Head coach Tony Currie left the club at the end of the 1998 Super League season and was replaced by Dan Stains.

In 1999, the club went one better, having its best cup run to date. Following a famous semi final victory over Castleford, the Broncos reached the Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium for the first time, but were defeated 52-16 by Leeds. The club sacked Stains after the Broncos endured a long losing streak during the Super League campaign. Tony Rea was appointed temporary joint head coach with Stains' assistant Les Kiss. Rea and Kiss managed to steer Broncos out of the slump.

After a second brief spell back at The Valley, fervent supporter David Hughes purchased the majority shareholding from Virgin in a major restructuring of the club. In 2000, John Monie was appointed head coach. Monie only stayed in the job until the last month of the 2000 Super League season with the club endured a mediocre season during his tenure. Rea took over caretaker coach until the end of the season and Broncos sailed to mid-table security. Rea resigned his Chief Executive role at the end of the 2000 season to become head coach on a full-time basis.

York made an approach to Virgin to buy the London Broncos in August 2001 and form a merged club under a new name, York Wasps Ltd, to play in Super League.

In 2002, the Broncos moved back across London to play at Griffin Park as tenants of Brentford F.C.. 2003 marked the club's first Super League play off appearance, losing in the first round to St Helens 24-6 at Knowsley Road.

The 2005 season was marked by significant activity off the pitch as the club welcomed new chairman and majority shareholder Ian Lenagan who had bought up 65% of the shares. This was followed by the announcement of a partnership with Harlequin F.C. rugby union club that would see the side return to Twickenham Stoop as Harlequins RL for the 2006 season.

Harlequins Rugby League

On 8 July 2006, after a disappointing run of form for the team, the Harlequins Rugby League club announced a re-organisation of the coaching set-up. Rea was replaced as head coach by Leeds Rhinos' assistant coach Brian McDermott, but was appointed to a position on the club's board of directors. He has since left this position.

The team completed its first season as Harlequins RL with 7th place in Super League XI. Although finishing strongly to avoid relegation, the run of 4 consecutive home defeats at the start of the season proved difficult to overcome. Super League XII in 2007 saw the team finishing 9th falling short of contention for a playoff spot.

In December 2007, Chairman Ian Lenagan became owner of his home town club Wigan Warriors. Although handing over to a new Chairman Keith Hogg, Ian Lenagan will be allowed to maintain a major shareholding for a further two years.

Previous kits

The different incarnations of the club have each worn different kits. Fulham used an all black kit with white chevron and red trim. Under the Crusaders the kit used the same colours but in a variety of designs, but still mainly black and with the Broncos name they wore red, yellow and blue in a variety of styles, with red being the main colour for the last 5 years

Honours

• Super League: Runners-up 1997
• Rugby League Challenge Cup: Runners-up 1999
• Division Two Championship: 1982-83

Coaching Staff

• Brian McDermott - Head Coach
• Latham Tawhai - Assistant Coach
• Rob Powell - Assistant Coach
• Bill Peden - Strength and Conditioning

2009 Squad

No	Nat	Name	Position	Previous Club
1		Chris Melling	Full Back	Wigan Warriors
2		Jon Wells	Wing	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
3		Matt Gafa	Centre	Canberra Raiders
4		David Howell	Centre	Canberra Raiders
5		Will Sharp	Wing	Harlequins RL
6		Luke Dorn	Stand Off	Castleford Tigers
7		Danny Orr	Scrum Half	Wigan Warriors
8		Karl Temata	Prop	New Zealand Warriors
9		Chad Randall	Hooker	Manly Sea Eagles
10		Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook	Prop	Harlequins RL
11		Luke Williamson	Second Row	Manly Sea Eagles
12		Chad Robinson	Second Row	Parramatta Eels
13		Rob Purdham	Loose-forward	Whitehaven RLFC
14		Tony Clubb	Centre	Harlequins RL
15		Ben Kaye	Hooker	Leeds Rhinos
16		Gareth Haggerty	Prop	Salford City Reds
17		Danny Ward	Prop	Hull KR
18		Joe Mbu	Second Row	Doncaster Lakers
19		Jason Golden	Loose Forward	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
20		Jon Grayshon	Prop	Huddersfield Giants
21		Luke Gale	Scrum Half	Doncaster RLFC
22		Mick Nanyn	Centre	Oldham Roughyeds
23		Daniel Heckenberg	Prop	Manly Sea Eagles
24		Luke May	Centre	Harlequins RL
25		Dave Williams	Prop	Harlequins RL
26		Matt Gardner	Wing	Salford City Reds
27		Jamie O'Callaghan	Wing	Harlequins RL
28		Jack Graves	Second row	Harlequins RL
29		Dylan Skee	Stand-off	Harlequins RL
30		Lamont Bryan	Fullback	Harlequins RL
31		Tony Gigot	Centre	SO Avignon
32		Adam Janowski	Second-Row	Harlequins RL

2009 Signings/Transfers

Gains

Player	Previous Club	Years Signed	Until the End of
Luke Dorn	Castleford Tigers
Luke Williamson	Manly Sea Eagles
Chad Robinson	Parramatta Eels
Ben Kaye	Leeds Rhinos
Jason Golden	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Mick Nanyn	Oldham Roughyeds
Matt Gardner	Salford City Reds

Losses
Player	Signed for	When left
Mark McLinden	Queensland Reds	Oct 2008
Rikki Sheriffe	Bradford Bulls	Oct 2008
Scott Hill	Retired	Oct 2008
Julien Rinaldi	UTC	Oct 2008
Henry Paul	Leeds Carnegie	Oct 2008
David Tootill	Batley Bulldogs	Oct 2008
Dwayne Barker	Halifax RLFC	Oct 2008
Michael Worrincy	Bradford Bulls	Oct 2008
Joe Walsh	Halifax RLFC	Oct 2008

Yusuf Sozi Robbie Beazley Richie Barnett Greg Barwick Steve Diamond Luke Dorn Jim Dymock Shaun Edwards Abi Ekoku

John Gallagher Peter Gill Solomon Haumono Lee Hopkins Mark Johnson Tony Karalius Thomas Leuluai Zebastian Lucky Luisi Peter Lupton

Tony Martin Gary Mason Feleti Mateo Terry Matterson Hussein M'Barki Shane Millard David Mills Denis Moran Martin Offiah

Bill Peden Tony Rea Steele Retchless Scott Roskell Steve Rosolen Tyrone Smith Tulsen Tollett Danny Williams