The first two seasons of the War Emergency League starting in 1939/40 were regionalised into Yorkshire Sections. As the number of clubs on both sides of the Pennines diminished due to the demands of the war, there was just one league from 1941/42. When the fixtures for 1942 /43 were issued, Hunslet had been allocated three fixtures in Lancashire and, as they were losing money anyway by playing, they withdrew from the league and gave Leeds first call on their players. On 6th September the members passed a resolution condemning the action of the club and a Special General Meeting was arranged. At the meeting the Chairman explained that liabilities were £2,390 and the club was losing money each time they played. A resolution was passed to withdraw the resignation from the league and new Guarantors should be sought. By 28th September no solution had been found to the financial problems and Hunslet remained shut down. The decision to give Leeds first call on their players was later overruled when the rugby league limited the number of players a club could use to six from any club dropping out of the league. Leeds reached the final of the Challenge Cup that season and Jack Walkington played in both legs of the final and Eric Batten and Sid Rookes one each as Leeds lost to Dewsbury. Cyril Morrell turned out for Dewsbury as they won the Yorkshire Cup. Eric Batten and Billy Thornton were both selected for England and Billy Thompson, Billy Thornton and Les White featured in the Rugby league XIII / Northern Command game. Eric Batten was the leagues’ top try scorer. In all the above the players were credited as Hunslet players.

Eric Batten

When the original club closed down, Geoff Gunney and his colleagues were unable to get the rights to the Hunslet RLFC name hence the New Hunslet moniker. For the start of the 1979/ 80 season the situation  was resolved and the club played as Hunslet Rugby League Football Club. 

On 18th August 1959, Billy Langton set new goals and points in a match record against Keighley in a 63-7 win.  He kicked 12 goals and with a try got 27 points.

In 1954 the tourists were still going strong, playing their penultimate game against New South Wales after their return from New Zealand with Dickie Williams and Geoff Gunney in the side. They were defeated 15-35 after playing most of the match with12 men after Billy Boston left the field injured.

In 1949 George Ellener was registered for the club. Although he only played 11 games, he was part of the deal which brought international hooker Sam Smith from Hull Kingston Rovers.

The programme for the first game of 1962/63 (home to Hull Kingston Rovers) said there was a good reaction to Hunslet’s new “change” strip of Chocolate and White used in the previous weeks’ Lazenby Cup match. It was the first time since 1933 the colours had been seen.

The first league match of 1969/70 was today and the programme reported Hunslet had signed former tourist Geoff Crewdson from Keighley, forward Dave Tucker, formerly with Castleford, Steve Barron from the Juniors and Gordon Johnstone from the Intermediates. Former player Harry Poole had bee appointed first team coach.

Geoff “Skin” Crewdson

Season 1979/80 started today with home game against Keighley. The programme advised admission had increase to £1 but this now included 15% VAT and 15% Rugby league levy. Co-incidentally the club re-introduced Myrtle White and Flame for the new season. Work was progressing well with new dressing rooms and the floodlighting had been upgraded. Bill Ramsey, Dave Mawson and Drew Broatch were in charge of the first team. New signings were Bryan Murrell, Howard Budby, Steve Lane and the returning Peter Dunn.

Bryan Murrell