Harlequins
Contents
History
The club was founded as Fulham R.L. in 1980 as an offshoot of Fulham F.C. to provide extra revenue and provide a southern outlier to the northern-dominated Rugby League. A successful first season saw them promoted to the First Division but they were immediately relegated. The following year they won the Second Division championship outright and were promoted but once again were relegated the following year. With mounting financial losses Fulham F.C severed their connection and the club spent a period in limbo both on and off the pitch. In 1991 they changed the ir name to London Crusaders but following their purchase by Australian club Brisbane Broncos in 1994, they were renamed London Broncos. Although not being part of the top tier when the Super League was inaugurated in 1996, the Broncos were recruited raise the profile of Rugby League in the capital. After two years they moved their home ground to Harlequin rugby union club but returned to The Valley two years later and then moved ont to Griffin Park. At the end of the 2005 season a new owner took the club back to the Harlequin's ground and the club was formally renamed Harlequin R.L.[3]
Their home ground is known as "The Stoop" in Twickenham. The club's current sponsor is the Sports Café Group. The club are usually known as the 'Quins'. The Harlequins wear a home shirt similar to the rugby union club's famous multi-coloured quartered jersey of light blue, magenta, chocolate, French grey, black & light green, which is one of the most distinctive strips in the rugby world.
Honors
Challenge Cup Winners Runners-Up
- 1999
Super League[4]
- Best position: 2nd (1997)
Division Two Championship
- 1982-83
