By Richard Day
The rugby league side were originally founded in 1980 as part of Fulham FC and played in the RFL Championship's Second Division. Nearly 10,000 fans were at Craven Cottage for their first game, which saw them beat Rugby League legends Wigan 24-5
That inaugural season also saw them beat Leeds in the John Player Trophy, while more that 15,000 fans turned out to see them face Wakefield in the Challenge Cup - and they capped the season with a promotion
They were relegated the next season, and after four years they left Craven Cottage - and over the years they have also been known as London RLFC, London Crusaders and as recently as last season Harlequins and they have played at a number of different places including the homes of other soccer teams like Wealdstone, Hendon, Chelsea, Brentford and Charlton Athletic.
They became known as the Broncos for the first time in 1994 when Australian club the Brisbane Broncos took over the then Second Division side, London Crusaders.
In 1996 the Broncos, under Head Coach Tony Currie, were included in the newly formed Super League and I for one used to go and watch them regularly at their new home The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic.
I certainly remember the big crowds for the first home game with fellow newcomers Paris St Germain and also later in the season when over 10,000 watched the Wigan game. Not only do the obvious encounters against the likes of Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens remain in my memory banks but also the 50+ point thrashings of both Castleford Tigers and Workington Town.
Unfortunately after just one season they moved to The Stoop at Twickenham, which was not such an easy train journey from the Medway Towns and my attendance at matches dwindled, although I do still look for their results and see them in their games televised on Sky Sports so the game against Hull here at Priestfield Stadium will be a great chance to watch them once again.
In 1999 the London Broncos played in the last-ever Challenge Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium where they unfortunately lost to Leeds.
After a brief spell back at the Valley they moved back to West London in 2002 to play at Brentford's Griffin Park and three years later a restructuring of the club saw them become Harlequins RL with The Stoop once again as their home.
In November 2011 the club announced the return to London Broncos which also brings with it a new logo and a new playing kit of black, light blue and silver.
Talking about the name change, current head coach Rob Powell said: "Going back to being the London Broncos is a great move. The players and playing staff are all behind it and it's an opportunity for a new start for this club albeit under an old name.
"We have invested heavily in the team over the off-season and we are all really excited about pre-season and getting ready for next year."
Their home matches will continue to be played at The Twickenham Stoop Stadium for the 2012 season with the exception two games games which are scheduled to be played at Leyton Orient and, of course, Gillingham in an effort to showcase the game to a wider audience.
