On This Day 1st, 2nd and 3rd June

1^st June

Making his debut today at Castleford in the last match of 1939/40 was forward Walt Burnell. He had signed in January from Hunslet Supporters for £60. As a junior he had captained City Boys on a tour of France in 1936/37.

He made regular appearances throughout the war but missed 1944/45 and 1945/46 due being stationed with the RAF in the far east. On his return he took up his place in the Hunslet pack and was a regular until his career was coming to an end in 1956 when he moved to Dewsbury, initially on loan and then permanently. In 14 seasons at Hunslet he played 290 games and scored 13 tries.

Walt’s debut game saw the end of Hunslet’s 1939/40 season. Due to the outbreak of war in September the 1939/40 season was cancelled, Hunslet having lost two games and their last at Castleford being abandoned due to heavy rain. The government gave the thumbs up to competitive football recommencing on 30^th September with Hunslet playing in the Yorkshire Section of the War Emergency League, the first game being a 16-29 loss away at Halifax. Due to the late start and two months being lost to bad weather in the winter the season had to be extended and the Yorkshire Cup final on 22^nd June was the latest finish there would be for a winter season. Hunslet’s last match was an exit from the Yorkshire Cup at Castleford on 1^st June. 5^th place out of the 15 clubs was Hunslet’s finishing position. Eric Batten scored 27 tries and Cliff Whitehead 52 goals in the war league. Eric also found time to score 8 additional tries as guest with other clubs and was the league’s top try scorer.

Centre Geoff Shelton had been a Great Britain regular for a number of years and in 1966 he was invited to tour with the Lions. Today was his first game against Northern Territory in Darwin. He scored a try in GB’s 17-7 win.

In 1959 forward Keith Whitehead registered with Hunslet after signing from Hunslet Juniors for £250. It would be the end of the following season before he appeared in the first team but then played over the next seven season  playing 56 games and scoring 5 tries.

2^nd June….

Phil Horrocks signed on today in 1971. His debut wouldn’t be until August the next year but he went on to play 76 matches and score 16 tries and a goal including a try on his debut at Huyton. He played for both Hunslet CF&AC and New Hunslet.

3^rdJune

The 1936 Lions tour was underway and Harry Beverley made his first appearance today at Leeton, N.S.W. against Southern Districts. Despite losing Fred Harris with a broken collar bone in the first half Great Britain ran out 35-13 winners.