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http://www.londonbroncos.co.uk
New-look Broncos: Players, Kit, Captain and Sponsor
February 1, 2005
Tony Rea has today announced Mark Mc Linden as his team captain to take London Broncos into the 2005 season.
The former Australian Schoolboy representative burst on to the scene in the NRL with Canberra Raiders in 1998, where he was named NRL Rookie of the Year after just his first season. Mark was to become one of the Raiders longest serving players having played 165 games and scoring 65 tries for the Canberra club over a seven year period.
McLinden is one of eleven new signings in a 25-man squad for the 2005 season, including two other notable scrum halves in current Kiwi International Thomas Leuluai and Sydney Roosters Grand Final winning Premier League half, Luke Dorn.
Mark commented: "It's a privilege to be handed this role. I've played alongside some great captains in my time and I think I've learned a lot over the years."
This is a really positive group of people and I'm sure I will enjoy every minute of it."
We're all eager for the Warrington game to arrive. Most of us new guys are used to bigger stadiums than Griffin Park, but I'm told the Broncos faithful are some of the most passionate in the world."
As well as an abundance of talent and choice in the halves the new-look squad boasts greater youth than previous years, and packs considerably more weight. Rea will have some six players capable of playing front row, including new recruits Solomon Haumono, Mark Tookey, and Anthony Armour.
Out wide the battle is sure to be intense for places in the three-quarters with new players Tyrone Smith and Nick Bradley Qalilawa competing for a spot alongside the likes of Paul Sykes, Jon Wells, Mark OHalloran, John Kirkpatrick, Lee Greenwood and Zebastian Luisi.
Francis Stephenson has been announced as Club Captain for 2005.
The playing kit is made by leading Italian sportswear designer, Carlotti - sponsor of WBU World Light-Welterweight Champion, Ricky Hatton. The new shirtfront sponsor is Streetwise Sports, exclusive stockists of the Carlotti range.
Last years principal sponsor Bartercard UK will once again remain prominent on the Broncos attire and the collective value of the 2005 shirt and short sponsors is in excess of £200k.
TNT Magazine Group and Metro Newspaper have once again aligned their brands with London Broncos, giving the club unique media partnerships.
Set to announce a new deal with London Broncos in the coming days is BBC London 94.9fm, a commitment which will encompass greater online, FM, and digital coverage than ever before.
The clubs back room staff has been strengthened significantly through the appointment of Pure Sports Medicine.
Pure Sports Medicine is a specialist sports medicine group dedicated to the enhancement of athletic performance and the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries and musculoskeletal problems.
The Pure team has assembled sports doctors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, rehabilitation therapists and strength and conditioning trainers, to help London Broncos minimise player downtime due to injury and achieve optimal performance.
This Saturday will see the very first Metro Capital Challenge between London Skolars and London Broncos. The game will kick off at 2.30pm at New River Stadium, and will be preceded by another all-London affair when West London Sharks tackle South London Storm in the Powergen Challenge Cup.
The Metro Capital Challenge will be the Broncos final friendly before Super League X kicks off at Griffin Park against Warrington Wolves on Sunday 13th February.
This Friday, Broncos CEO Nic Cartwright will walk on fire to help raise funds for the Tsunami Appeal and Haven House Childrens Hospice.
In the coming weeks the club will be launching a new official website which is set to rival the very best that Super League has to offer.
Later this week an announcement will be made about a special pre-match entertainer at the February 13th Season Opener at Griffin Park.
Tickets for the Season Opener against Warrington are now on sale from just £12 in advance - call 0871 222 1657.
PLAYERS RETAINED FROM 2004
Paul Sykes (full back), Jon Wells (winger), Mark O'Halloran (centre), John Kirkpatrick (winger), Rob Purdham (loose forward), Francis Stephenson (prop), Neil Budworth (hooker), Steve Trindall (prop), Mitchell Stringer (prop), Dave Highton (hooker), Lee Sanderson (half), Lee Greenwood (winger), Joe Mbu (second row)
NEW PLAYERS FOR 2005
Mark Tookey (prop), Lee Hopkins (second row), Mark McLinden (half), Luke Dorn (half), Tyrone Smith (centre), Zebastion Luisi (full back), Solomon Haumono (second row/prop), Anthony Armour (prop), Thomas Leuluai (half), Nick Bradley Qalilawa (centre), Danny Williams (second row/hooker), Filimone Lolohea (second row/prop)
