CAPTAIN Tony Clubb insists he meant what he said when suggesting he may have to move away from London Broncos to be a success and win his England place back.

Clubb was quoted saying as much in a rugby league programme last month, leading to a backlash from Broncos fans and putting a downer on preparations for their Challenge Cup semi-final, which they lost 70-0 to Wigan Warriors.

Chris Melling told the Chronicle in the aftermath that his team-mate may have been misquoted, but Clubb, who was made captain when Craig Gower left earlier this season, was having none of it.

He said: “Yes and no, it was taken a little bit out of context, but I say it as it is and say how I feel, and that's how I felt at the time. I still feel a bit like that now, to be honest. We will wait and see what happens now. I don't know what's happening with my own future, or with the captaincy.”

If Clubb does leave and become a rare London rugby league success story away from the capital, he hopes the club will thrive without him.

Much has been said in the wake of Broncos' semi-final mauling, and a likely bottom place Super League finish, about if the club is worth saving, especially as they will not have the protection of a three-year license from next season, when promotion and relegation returns.

Clubb said: “We're not playing well, so people will have these opinions and views, and they are entitled to them. But I think the game need a successful London team, it can't just be based up north, and you only have to see some of the talent we have coming through now.

“We all need to up our game though. Next year will be tough, and if we have another season like this we will be in for a very tough time. I'm a fan of promotion and relegation as it makes you work that little bit harder when you know you can be relegated.”

Broncos responded to the Wigan hammering by running Leeds Rhinos close in a 30-18 defeat at The Stoop, in which tries from Luke Dorn, Dan Sarginson and Ben Fisher, all converted by Jamie Soward, were not enough.

The game proved to be the last in Broncos colours for Dorn, who is definitely leaving the club at the end of the season and will miss the last four games – starting at St Helens tomorrow (Friday) – as he needs an operation on his elbow.