London Broncos owner David Hughes has confirmed he has put the club up for sale after 27 years at the helm.

In a brief statement posted on the club’s website, external, Hughes wrote, “After 27 eventful years, of which we spent 20 years in the Super League, I have decided on behalf of myself and the Hughes family that we will step down at the end of the season.

“We will make every effort to facilitate anyone interested in taking over the club to lead it through the Championship.”

Despite starting the season knowing they faced relegation because of the IMG’s new grading system, Broncos’ entertaining performances have outperformed expectations.

They finished second in Super League during Hughes’ first full year at the club, before a memorable journey to the 1999 Challenge Cup final which ended in defeat against Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

London returned to Super League this year following a four-year stay in the Championship, after beating Toulouse Olympique in the Million Pound Game last October.

Following their bruising 54-0 defeat on Friday at Warrington Wolves, Broncos finished bottom of Super League on points difference below Hull FC.