Hi Everybody,
I hope youβve recovered from what was a really disappointing end to the season for all involved with the Club. As Rudyard Kipling famously wrote β If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the sameβ. At the end of the day thatβs what sportβs all about and thatβs why we love it.
We certainly shouldnβt let that detract though from what has been our best season on the field since 2014, and Iβd like to thank you all on behalf of the Board for your fantastic support throughout, itβs been very much appreciated as always. Off the pitch weβve had huge success in our hospitality and bars whilst our crowds for our last 6 home games (including London Skolars) averaged 762, a 36% increase on 2022, which is great to see. Weβve also entered into a new partnership with TUFFS who will be providing our kit and merchandise and Iβm pleased to announce that our new kits for 2024 will be unveiled in the coming months and definitely be available to purchase in time for Christmas.
Of course, 2023 saw us celebrate our 140th anniversary, the 50th anniversary of the Club rising against all odds like a phoenix from the ashes as βNew Hunsletβ and, of course, Jimmy Watsonβs testimonial. All achievements of which we should be justifiably proud.
Youβll be aware that thereβs a new coach in place too. Dean Muir replaces the departing Alan Kilshaw, to whom we offer both our thanks for his efforts during his time here and best wishes for the future, except of course when heβs coaching against Hunslet! We will be setting up a Q&A with Dean in the coming weeks where Iβm sure you will want to take the opportunity to meet and welcome him to the Hunslet family and quiz him on his plans. Dean is already working hard on building his squad, so make sure you look out for further announcements throughout the close season.
In terms of next season, Obviously, the news about London Skolars resigning from League 1 is both sad and concerning. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been involved at the Club over the years, particularly Hector McNeil, who founded the Club, and of course their supporters. Iβm pleased to see that the Club will still be playing in the Southern Conference League and hopefully they can return to the professional game sometime in the future. But out of adversity comes opportunity, and youβll have no doubt seen that the RFL are in consultation with Clubs over the League 1 structure for 2024. I can assure you that we are very much at the table for those discussions and continue to lobby for a structure that we feel would benefit the wider game. We expect the matter to be resolved by early October
All in all, the Club continues to make progress and move forward in a positive direction so make sure you take time out to re-charge your batteries ready for what will hopefully be another roller coaster ride in 2024, whatever the league structure may be. Come on the Huns!
Neil
#swsa
Thanks to all the hardworking board
Well done to our board members. You have put in a lot of work this season.
As ever a huge thanks to you Neil & the the rest of the board and all the volunteers who make this such a great club…
As I well know from my involvement with non league football the people in the background are the unsung heroβs of most sports clubs. Thanks to all the volunteers and the board who keep the club going forward.
You are much appreciated!
Thanks for all the hard work Neil , can we lobby for One Championship League now .
One championship makes sense – it would also give us more local derbies – Wakey, Dewsbury, Halifax etc
Well done Neil and all those who work so hard to keep this club going. Not got to many games , now I seem be one of the two known Scotland based fans! It’s always great to get to South Leeds when I can. Come on Huns!!
As a part time Hunslet follower whose local team is Keighley I too have the greatest respect for the staff and supporters who work tirelessly to keep the club afloat at a time when it seems that League 1 is an embarrassment.
It isn’t!!
I have probably watched Huns more than Keighley this season due to commitments.
The quality of the entertainment has been of the highest.
Will I be back next year – you bet, wouldn’t it be good if Bramley could take up Skolars franchise and bring rugby league back to its heartland.
All the best to the club for the future.