[8] Purdham joined London Broncos in December 2001,[9] following his selection for the England under-21 tour of South Africa, and an impressive start to the season with Whitehaven.

[10] On 20 May 2006, Rob set a new Quins club record by scoring 34 points (2 tries, 13 goals) in Harlequins RL's 82–8 victory over Barrow Raiders in the Challenge Cup.

[11] In July 2011, Purdham announced he would be leaving Harlequins at the end of the season, and returning home to the family farm in Cumbria, England.

Purdham's brother, Garry, who was also a professional rugby league footballer for Workington Town, died on 2 June 2010, at Gosforth, Cumbria, during a shooting spree in which a further 12 people were killed.

[17] Purdham was given compassionate leave by his club to travel back to Cumbria and has subsequently said that the positive response of the rugby league community has convinced him he was right not to give up his playing career following the tragedy.