Ananova :

Charlton Athletic director David Hughes has been unveiled as the saviour of London Broncos.

He has bought out Sir Richard Branson's majority stake in the Super League club.

Branson's Virgin Group ended speculation over the future of rugby league's capital club when they announced that Hughes had become the new owner.

Hughes is a Broncos director and minority shareholder.

Virgin, thought to have been ploughing around £750,000 a season into the club, will continue their links with Broncos after agreeing a new two-year sponsorship deal worth more than £1million.

Hughes said the deal would mean the Broncos continuing to play in London - although that is unlikely to be at Charlton - and that all players contracts will be unaffected.

He said: "As a Broncos fan, I'm pleased that this deal will end the speculation about the future of the club, the playing staff and where we'll be playing.

"I'm looking forward to taking the London Broncos onwards and upwards but not up the M6: the Broncos will stay in London!"

The news will be a major boost to the game, especially after the loss of Paris three years ago and Gateshead last year.

Both the Rugby Football League and Super League expressed their determination to keep a Super League presence in the capital.

Talks are continuing to find a new home for the Broncos who have played at Craven Cottage, Crystal Palace, Chiswick, Barnet and The Stoop since their formation in 1980.

Story filed: 16:31 Friday 14th September 2001

• Charlton won't buy Broncos 07:06 Wednesday 5th September 2001
• London Broncos on the move again 06:58 Wednesday 5th September 2001
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