First posted on PATREON and SUBSTACK
By STEVE MASCORD
LONDON Broncos have banned me – rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads reporter Steve Mascord – from working at their semi-final this weekend, over the story we ran yesterday.
On Wednesdaywe published a story quoting the club’s former media manager Jake Watson saying he was owed £10,000 for two months work last year.
Today, Broncos chief operating officer Joe Cramp texted me at 12:27pm saying: “Hi mate, Just wanted to let you know we won’t be able to accomodate you at the game this weekend. Just giving you the heads up directly now. Cheers.”
The Broncos play Oldham at Cherry Red Records Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Watson had told us his attempts to recoup the money owed were being stonewalled and he did not believe he was the only employee in the same position, who had worked when the club was broke last year and had been promised he would be paid when the new owners arrived.
He says he remains unpaid for July and August, 2025.
“The reality that Grant and Gary need to remember is if it wasn’t for people like me and others, the club wouldn’t even exist,” he said.
“You know, I would work seven days a week for months on end with zero payment. I had to take out a loan, I had to take on extra work whilst already working seven days a week just so I could survive.
“I’m a guy who lived on my own in London. And (being) without that money is a huge, huge issue for me. And I’ve explained this to them a number of times, to be now at the point where I’m just not even getting a response.
“Now, the club are talking about the huge amounts of money that they’re prepared to invest into the club. I just find it very insulting that the people who essentially made sure that this club survives, so they had a club to invest in, are being treated so poorly.”
