Latest News Harlequins 30 years old and pledge to continue
| Harlequins 30 years old and pledge to continue |
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| Friday, 03 September 2010 05:12 |
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By Ian Laybourn - Harlequins will on Friday mark 30 unbroken years of professional rugby league in London with a pledge to continue to fly the flag in the capital. Chairman David Hughes is expected to allay fears for the club's future when he addresses supporters before the kick-off to their last match of the Engage Super League season against Warrington at the Twickenham Stoop.
The Rugby Football League are thought to have helped Quins secure new investment to ease the financial burden on Hughes, who has ploughed millions of pounds into the club since the departure of Richard Branson despite being a minority shareholder. Long-serving Harlequins captain Rob Purdham is delighted that the club has been saved and remains optimistic about the future. "It's good news for us and it's good news for rugby league," he said. "I've been here nine years now and I think rugby league needs a London team. "It also needs a London team to be doing well, not propping up the league, and, if it takes off, the crowds and support would be right up there." Tony Gourlay and Roy Lester, two of the survivors from the original Fulham team in 1980, will be among the crowd hoping to see the Londoners finish another wretched season on a high note. Victory over the back-to-back Challenge Cup winners would ensure Harlequins avoid the wooden spoon but Purdham knows they face a tough test against Tony Smith's men, who need the points to keep alive their hopes of a second-placed finish. A below-strength Quins were hammered 58-0 by Warrington in the opening match of the season, which was a far cry from last year when Brian McDermott's men inflicted a 60-8 humiliation on the Wolves at the Twickenham Stoop. "It's basically the same team that were bottom of league last year so Tony has done a fantastic job," said Purdham. "I wouldn't bet against them winning Super League as well, with the way played on Saturday. They look like they love playing together." It promises to be an emotional night for the London club, who will bid farewell to McDermott, who is ending his four years at the helm to return to Leeds as assistant coach, and a host of players. The known departures include England prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who is tipped to join St Helens after rejecting a new contract, and Australian second rower Luke Williamson, who is hanging up his boots after the match. "It's going to be a big day for quite a lot of people who have been a big part of our squad," added Purdham. |
| Last Updated on Friday, 03 September 2010 07:02 |