Why Super League must have an EARNED presence in London if it is to grow

London have scored more than 1,400 points in the Championship. Credit: SWPIX.COM JASON Demetriou insists London are ready for Super League – and Super League should be ready for London. No matter what northern naysayers say. Jason Demetriou believes London Broncos should earn a place in Super League if rugby league is going to grow. Credit: SWPIX.COM London have dominated the Championship. Credit: SWPIX.COM But he wants the Broncos to earn their place in the top flight, rather than be awarded a spot either by the NRL coming in. So far, the Championship leaders have ran in more than 1,400 points to seal the second tier’s League Leaders’ Shield. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! They can add the 1895 Cup today by defeating Widnes and winning the Grand Final will add a precious IMG grading point. Unless there is a change, there is every chance Australian Grant Wechsel’s and rugby league icon Darren Lockyer’s investment will not see them promoted. more rugby league stories But boss Demetriou is adamant they are worthy of a place for the good of the sport, if they do the business on the field. That comes despite plenty of calls of, ‘We’ve had 40 years of trying, why bother again?’ He said: “You could say the same thing about a lot of northern clubs that have been doing it for 100 years. “It wasn’t long ago that people were saying Wakefield needed to be kicked out of the top flight because they weren’t a Super League team. Now, we’re talking about them potentially winning it. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS London face Widnes in the 1895 Cup final. Credit: SWPIX.COM “Leigh were in the doldrums for a long, long time, but what we’ve seen is that if you get the investment right and get the right people in the business, the business can grow to be successful on and off the field. “There’s always been a north/south divide and that’s never going to change. We don’t want it to change either. “We’re not asking for the crumbs off the table up there, we’re happy to come and steal your food! “We’ll earn our place, we’re not asking for handouts. I just hope we get given a green light and we’ve earned that right because we’ve played some rugby that has allowed us to go in and compete. “And without doubt, we’re in a better position this year than last. We came here with our eyes open and understood there’s an opportunity to grow the game in the south. “It can be done with the right investment, energy and structures. I feel like we’ve got that down here in London. “When I first came to the club, nobody had a clue who you were if you were walking around town in your London kit. As it’s gone on, more and more people are beginning to take notice. “The amount of teenagers and kids that have been at the games is building excitement around what the London Broncos are doing, and that’s been really pleasing to see. London have scored more than 1,400 points in the Championship. Credit: SWPIX.COM Demetriou believes London’s, and rugby league’s, fanbase will grow if they are in Super League. Credit: SWPIX.COM “I expect that’ll grow massively, especially if we can get the result today and we need the game to understand that the capital needs to have a team. “If we want to grow commercially as a product, we have to have a presence in the biggest city in the country.” Comment now