The Rugby Union clubs in the North of England had mostly industrial workers making up their playing squads. In order to play these players had to miss a shift and as such wages. The clubs had lobbied the Rugby Union for broken time payments to the players for a number of years but they would not agree to what they saw as a breach of amateur rules. Things came to a head in 1895 when the Northern clubs decided they needed to form their own Union so they could introduce the payments and a meeting was arranged for the George Hotel in Huddersfield to discuss. 21 clubs were In attendance including Hunslet. A resolution was passed to form the Northern Rugby Football Union. 20 of the 21 clubs handed in their resignation from the RU, only Dewsbury being undecided. They were given five days to consider and eventually their place was taken Runcorn. Stockport sent a telegram applying for membership saying a member was on his way with the paperwork. Mr Harry Waller of Brighouse Rangers was the first Chairman and Mr Joseph Platt of Oldham the first Secretary. Broken time payments were set at a maximum of 6/- a day and the names of gentlemen suitable to be referees were requested. Rowland Hill of the Rugby Union made a statement saying any previously arranged fixtures between the two Unions would not be permitted. It would be over 100 years before the situation changed when the Rugby Union embraced professionalism. Even before a game was played it was recognised that the laws of the game had to change to make it more appealing to paying spectators. Mr Sewell of Leeds proposed reducing playing numbers to 13, using a round ball and abolishing the line-out. Trial matches were held and the players did not like the round ball and the other changes made the game faster than they could stand. None of the proposals were adopted. There were many definitions of professionalism and as we now know many clubs fell foul of these over the years including Hunslet. The first games were played on the 7th September.

In 1979 Hunslet’s scrum-half was Tony Dean and today he made his only representative appearance for Yorkshire against Cumbria at Workington. Yorkshire lost 13-17 and Tony dropped a goal.

Tony Dean

In 1959 Hunslet started their Yorkshire Cup campaign with a tie against Batley at Parkside and all went well with a 46-8 win, Harry Poole getting a hat-trick.

We covered Geoff Shelton’s departure a few days ago. Today in 1957 was the day he signed on. Harry Jepson’s signings ledger tells us he signed from Hunslet Juniors for £500 but this increased to £1,000 as he achieved various milestones in his career. The fee received from Oldham for his transfer was £6,250.

There were some important players making their debuts today. First up in 1928 at Barley Mow was stand-off George Todd in a 10-0 win over Bramley. He had signed from the Supporters Club and his half-back partner in his first season was mainly Ernest Young but in his second season, as Young was bowing out, he played with Billy Thornton in what many considered Hunslet’s finest partnership. In their first season together they took Hunslet to the Yorkshire Cup final and two years later to another County Cup final and winning the Yorkshire League. 1934 was their highlight with the Wembley win over Widnes. In 1932/33 he scored 6 tries against Hull KR to set a new club record. George played two games for England, one for a Rugby League XIII and ten for Yorkshire before moving to Halifax after 278 games, 141 tries and 18 goals. He returned as guest in 1939/40 for 7 matches and played a 11 games after the war. He coached the second team in 1947/48 with Vic Hey. His Halifax record is equally impressive, playing 287 games, scoring 76 tries and continuing his Yorkshire career.

Goerge Todd

In 1936 Jack Booth took his bow, but it wouldn’t be for his playing career but his contribution to coaching the Juniors, “A” Team and First Team until the 1960s that he is known. He played in the first team from 1936 to 1947 making 70 appearances as a stand-off, his game time being reduced owing to him being absent during the war.

Jack Booth

In 1953 half-back Dennis “Tango” Tate made his debut at home to Widnes. Over seven seasons he made 115 appearances, scoring 1 tries. He had signed from Hunslet Supporters and transferred to Bradford Northern.

Tango Tate painted by Ginger Burnell

And finally, full-back Billy Langton made his debut today at home to Featherstone Rovers. We’ve already looked at his career but just a reminder – 11 seasons, 395 appearances, 36 tries, 1045 goals and 2198 points.