What a great night and a great way to end the testimonial year with the dinner at the Lensbury. It was good for me, Sarah and baby Estelle to meet everyone again and have a good chat and drink or two with everyone. I can’t thank the committee enough for the work they have done over the last 12 months, it has been enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. 

It was nice to see a few of the new London players there and for me to meet them; I wish them all the best for the season.

Over 100 friends, supporters and volunteers joined Rob, Sarah and Estelle Purdham at his final Testimonial Event, for an enjoyable and entertaining evening, a Dinner held at and sponsored by the Lensbury on Saturday, 28th January 2012. 

Notable guests were main speaker Sky Sports Stevo (Mike Stephenson), MC Andy Whitelam formerly of the RFL and Sky Sports, together with London Broncos Chairman and Owner David Hughes, 18 of the current London Broncos Super League Squad, Head Coach Rob Powell, Assistant Coach Latham Tawhai, Kit Manager Steve Magee, many of the London Broncos / Harlequins RL current and former off field staff together with other notable guests and longstanding fans of Rugby League and the Purdhams.

Former Harlequins RL captain and England International Rob Purdham has announced his retirement from professional rugby league.

Purdham announced back in September he would be leaving Harlequins RL to return home to Cumbria with wife Sarah, who has recently given birth to their first child. Rob played 264 games in his professional career spanning 12 years including 55 appearances for Whitehaven, 197 for London Broncos/Harlequins RL and 12 representative appearances including the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Rob and Sarah Purdham were the guests of honour on the Robert’s Testimonial table on 3rd October 2011at the 2011 Engage Man of Steel Awards, hosted by Eddie Hemmings and Brian Carney of Sky Sports.

Rob and Sarah were accompanied by members of Rob’s Testimonial Committee, plus some longstanding friends and supporters of Robert’s Super League career at London Broncos, Harlequins Rugby League and London Rugby League.

As Christmas approaches, our thoughts focus on giving. If you need some gift ideas, perhaps some of Robert’s Testimonial Memorabilia could provide a few surprises under the tree and / or some stocking fillers and of course, any Donations will still be supporting Robert’s four nominated charities.

With the Harlequins RL becoming London Broncos RL, Robert’s Testimonial Rugby Shirt carrying the famous Jester logo, is likely to be the last Rugby League shirt carrying this emblem and these will increase in value over time, a great present for anyone in the family.

The season is all done now and onto the internationals. We had a disappointing end to the season with the only little ray of light was beating the eventual Super League champions for a second time this season. (Leeds)

It was a funny end to the season personally with knowing that the Saints game was going to be my last for the Quins. It did not sink in for a few days after that my ten years in London had come to an end and I wouldn't lead out the boys ever again.

Both Rob and Sarah Purdham are featured in this month’s Forty 20 Rugby League magazine. Rob talks about his time in London, his testimonial and moving back to Cumbria, while Sarah discusses the successful Farm to Field cookery book.

The magazine which is available online and in selected stores in London and the rest of the UK is in its fourth issue. The Farm to Field cookery book is available from the store page.

Rob and Sarah Purdham were recently guests on BBC London’s Rugby League show talking about the Testimonial and Farm to Field cook book.

You can listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/lrl

In what is thought to be the first of its kind for a Testimonial event in any sport, the Purdham family are delighted to launch a cookery book in aid of Rob Purdham's Testimonial and his Testimonial charities. From Farm to Field is being released as a limited edition recipe book at the start of September 2011 and is available for pre-order now.

The book has been lovingly created by Sarah Purdham, Rob’s wife who said: “I've always talked about doing this for family & friends and have always been asked by people and fans - what does Robert eat? And - are rugby players on a special diet?

Join Robert Purdham on his Testimonial Race Night, starting at 7pm in the Players' Lounge at The Stoop, Twickenham, suggested minimum entry of £5 on the door, after the Super League match between Harlequins RL and Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, 20th August 2011.

Receive a complimentary ticket to Kempton Park Race Course, name a Race, own a horse, or just enjoy a flutter on the Tote with a drink and have a fun night with your Harlequin RL and Rugby League friends. Spend the evening playing the odds to be in with a chance of a special prize as a winning horse owner and / or receive cash for winning bets placed on every Race.

Rob Purdham, the Harlequins RL captain, will be leaving the club at the end of the season to move back to Cumbria. Rob, 31, who is currently enjoying a testimonial, has spent 10 years playing Super League in the capital and is the first player to reach that milestone.

“I am sorry to announce that I will be leaving London at the end of the season to return to Cumbria for family reasons,” said Rob. “My decision has nothing to do with the club or the team it is purely for personal reasons.

The 9th July 2011, the same day of Wigan Warrior’s Round 21 Super League fixture at Harlequins RL, will also be Robert Purdham’s Testimonial Day at The Stoop, with additional, but independently organised and managed activities to the normal match day.

We hope this Event for Robert will also contribute to increased support for both fixtures to be played at The Stoop on 9th July 2011: Harlequins RL v Wigan Warriors and London Skolars v Oldham Roughyeds.

Rob Purdham's Testimonial shirt is now obtainable from our online shop.

This shirt celebrates Rob's ten years' service to Super League and Rugby League and the design, chosen by Rob and the companies supporting his charities, is a throwback to his London Broncos days.

League Publications Ltd, www.totalrl.com, featuring League Express and Rugby League World have donated Robert Purdham's Home Sponsorship for the Super League XVI season in support of Robert's Testimonial and Martyn Sadler, Managing Editor of League Publications Ltd, said:

"Rob Purdham has been an outstanding ambassador for Rugby League throughout his professional career. In particular, his role in playing for London Broncos and then Harlequins RL, and his willingness to help develop the game in the capital city..."

Another two games down and the season seems to be going so quickly already.

The last two games have been really disappointing for us all given that we have competed hard in both and come away with nothing.

A couple of weeks since I last blogged and what a two weeks it has been. We were on a high from beating St Helens and came crashing back down to earth after the Warrington game.

We played pretty well for most of the Saints game and came out of the blocks flying getting to half time 20 - 6 up. They came back a little after that but on the whole we deserved the win and could have been a more convincing.

Well that just shows that a week actually is a long time in rugby league.

The first defeat of the season is never a nice one, especially when it is in front of our own fans, but one loss will not make or break our season. It was more the performance we were disappointed in rather than the result.

Harlequins skipper Rob Purdham admits that he'll have divided loyalties going to the New River Stadium on Saturday to watch London Skolars take on Egremont Rangers in the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Rob began his Rugby League career with the Cumbrian amateur club, starting there at the age of seven and leaving 11 years later to sign for Whitehaven.

Help support Robert's Testimonial by downloading his official events poster.

Please ensure you seek the appropriate permissions before displaying at your school, work or club.

Dear Supporters of Harlequins and London Rugby League

The Robert Purdham Testimonial requires some Experienced Volunteers.

Another great week for the team , we definitely won't be getting carried away but its much nicer at the top of Super League than the bottom!

I think we still have plenty of improving to do but we will certainly take three wins out of three.

Super League got off to a real flier last weekend with Millennium Magic in Cardiff. It was the first time ever the concept has been used to kick off the season and it was good to be back under the roof in Cardiff. Most importantly we got the result we needed too.

Opinion seems to be divided about the Magic concept, although it was good to see crowd numbers up

Rob Powell has named his side to face Catalans Dragons under the Millennium roof on Saturday, 3pm.

"All of the players and coaching staff are excited about the start of the Super League Season," commented Powell. "Every player has trained well and we are going into this season prepared and with confidence."

Bill Arthur of Sky Sports fame profiles Robert's career on the Sky Sports Website.

It takes a bit of staying power and stamina to go from a New Year's Eve big night out in Whitehaven straight to the airport nursing a sore head and onto a 22-hour flight to Australia. And then into warm weather training with a Super League side at the other end.

The excitement is starting to build around the team this week as we prepare for the first game of the engage Super League season. The boys are all raring to get to Cardiff for the first hit out.

On a personal note I had a good run out with the under 20's on Saturday when we took on Oxford Uni.

Rob Purdham is looking forward to the 2011 season, not only is he excited to get back playing the game he loves, he's also in his Testimonial year.

Rob is the first Super League player to be granted a testimonial for 10 years of playing Rugby League in London.

Although injured, Rob Purdham had a personally successful day when he went to support his team mates at the traditional Capital Challenge against London Skolars at the world famous Honourable Artillery Company’s (HAC) Ground in Moorgate, in the heart of the City of London, on Friday, 21/1/2011.

Hi everyone, this week has been a really good one, and it is really starting to feel like game time again. The off-season can be long and frustrating and it was great for the boys to get back to action last week. We've had an intense few days of training, and despite winning the Capital Challenge 70-6 we have trying to put right some of the wrongs from last Friday