After steering Hunslet towards promotion to the Championship popular all-rounder Michael Knowles has called time on his playing career.
Normally playing in the Forwards over the last two seasons the 37 year old former Castleford, Gateshead, Sheffield and Dewsbury man ended the season for Hunslet playing at Stand-off and guiding a young Hunslet team around the pitch.
It’s this knowledge that ‘Knozza’ wants to pass on as he becomes part of the Coaching staff at the South Leeds Stadium.
“I made the decision to call time on my playing career last week after the Swinton game. I thought about maybe another season somewhere else in League 1, but decided to go out on a high with Hunslet.” said Knowles
“I started my playing career aged 16 at Castleford in the second row, which was a baptism of fire. I’ve played most of my career in the Championship, but dropped down to League 1 after Alan Kilshaw asked me to help get Hunslet promoted in 2023. It wasn’t to be, but we did it this season under Dean with a great set of lads.”
Knowles was integral to that late run in the play-offs that saw Hunslet promoted and when asked about the atmosphere in the changing room said “We just went about our business really. We were always confident and when you start winning you get into the swing of it. In the last few games our defence turned up. Even at 10-0 down against Swinton we still felt in it.”
As regards to coaching, Michael already has his Level 2 Badge. “I had a chat with Dean and he offered me to come on-board. I’d like to get my foot in the door coaching wise and I’m going to work with Kyle Trout probably on attack.”
Having plenty of experience of the Championship, Knowles knows it won’t be an easy task for Hunslet next year “The Championships a tough League, with three teams relegated last season it will be more competitive.
“We are going have to get up to speed pretty quickly. Bottom can beat top and there’s not much between the teams in the middle.
“We were good on the road last season with our support behind us, we need that next year. At home we need to make the South Leeds Stadium a fortress. It’d be nice to top 1000 and see more kids in.”
Hunslet fans will be disappointed to not see Knowles out on the pitch, but knowing he is still involved with the club means Knowles retains a link at Hunslet after 41 appearances, 3 tries, 9 Conversions and a Drop Goal.
A Professional career spanning 20 years since 2005 is remarkable, and with nearly 200 appearances, 46 tries and 135 Conversions he has had a career to be proud of.
“I’d like to thank the club for this opportunity, they stood by me giving me a 2 year playing contract and having helped get them promoted it’d be nice to help them stay up.”
