Broncos and Bees agree five-year groundshare
London Broncos today signed a new five-year deal to groundshare with Brentford at Griffin Park.
The agreement will lead to the rugby league club's longest spell in one home since their formation in 1980.
Worth £160,000 per season, the link-up also guarantees Brentford a vital source of income as they battle to control debts of £7million.
Broncos chief executive Nic Cartwright said: "We are very happy with the deal. It is not the ultimate answer as we would prefer to say that we have found our own permanent home.
"But it does give us some stability and a base from which to build over the next five years."
The Broncos have led a nomadic existence since professional rugby league was launched in the capital 23 years ago.
The club, then known as Fulham, began life at Craven Cottage before switching to five other sites, including The Valley and Harlequins' Stoop Memorial Ground.
Reformed as London Broncos in 1994, they were inaugural members of Super League and settled at Brentford two years ago.
The extended partnership with Brentford coincides with planned ground improvements at Griffin Park.
The Second Division club hope to put a roof on the uncovered Ealing Road stand and build executive boxes in other parts of the ground. A Football Foundation grant has been applied for to help cover the costs of the planned redevelopment.
Brentford's long-term ambition is to move to a purpose-built 23,000-seater stadium at Lionel Road, near Kew Bridge, which they may also share with the Broncos.
Brentford chairman Eddie Rogers said: "It is vitally important that the two clubs can continue in unison as we are both looking to establish a brand new sports facility in this area. An agreement such as this only confirms our joint intentions."
