It was finally the end for Parkside and Hunslet CF&AC today. Since 1970 there had been interest from Lenton Properties in acquiring the ground for redevelopment as warehousing and in January 1971 applied for planning permission which was refused. On appeal it was granted and the sale went through in 1973. The last visitors were York and in a 5-22 defeat Ronnie Dobson scored the last Hunslet try and Billy Adams the last goal on the old ground. It is believed there was an “A” team game and a workshop Competition the following week. By coincidence Hunslet were York’s last opponents when they closed their Clarence Street ground in 1989.
The 21st of April saw the end of twelve seasons. Most were average seasons but of note were 1927/28 when Hunslet finished 4th to qualify for the Championship play-offs and in 1977/7 and 1984/85 the club was relegated back to the Second Division.
Three cup campaigns ended today – the 2001 Premiership finished at league leaders Huddersfield 6-13 and in 2007 in the National League Cup first knock out stage, Celtic Crusaders progressed 28-14 in a match played at Dewsbury. In the only fixture to date with Catalan Dragons in 2013 an exit 12-50 was the outcome at South Leeds Stadium.
In 1982 Carlisle paid their first visit to Hunslet in a match played at Mount Pleasant Batley. The visitors won 14-8.
