A couple of players made their debuts today. In 1947 Australian Don Graham stepped out at Parkside today to face Salford. The stand-off had arrived in England 10 days earlier by flying boat, landing in Poole, Dorset. Chairman Edgar Meeks had met him in London and the club had put him and his wife up at the Waldorff for a couple of days sightseeing before they travelled up to Leeds. After the Waldorff, seeing Hunslet would have brought him down to earth! The Yorkshire Post commented on his debut that he was a player of above average ability but was not the answer to Hunslet’s problems as the three-quarters required more pace for his skills. Harry Jepson’s signings ledger show he was paid £1,000 to transfer from St George in Sydney but the papers managed to inflate this to £3,450. He was at Parkside until December 1949 playing 67 games and scoring 16 tries. Wishing to return home, Hunslet allowed him to move to Featherstone Rovers for the last three months of his stay, even though he was on contract. Featherstone paid £20 for his services.
Don Graham
In 1966, Phil Evans made his debut at Doncaster. He had signed from Castleford Intermediates for £50 and was with the club until 1970 having played 58 games and scored 6 tries. Before signing for Hunslet he had captained Great Britain Under 19s against France.
Phil Evans
1995 and the last season of the Winter Era started today with a 21-10 win at York. It was only to be as short season, lasting until January. Hunslet would finish 3rd meaning they would play in Division Two in the first Summer season. Today was the first time the club played under the “Hawks” moniker.
Today was the end of the 1998 season. After the promotion of last season it was a consolidation season in the Championship and David Plange steered the club to a creditable 6th place finish with 17 wins and a draw from the 30 fixtures. Winger Richard Baker scored 18 tries and St John Ellis got 74 goals and 194 points.
Player registrations tended to come thick and fast as the seasons got underway. One of note today was in 1921 when Frank “Dolly” Dawson signed from East Leeds ARLFC, Frank had played soccer for St Hilda’s until he was 16 but fortunately for Hunslet he switched codes and became one of Hunslet’s best known players. It was not to be on the representative stage where he made his name as he was only selected twice for Yorkshire. He played in the first Tour Trial in 1932 and was to be one of the captains in the second but had to withdraw due to injury. He played in two Yorkshire Cup finals and the 1934 Challenge Cup final and was club captain for three season 1930-1933. After his playing career he coached at Leeds and Halifax and returned to Parkside in 1960 to look after first team matters. In 1948 he was back at his junior club as coach and took charge of the two games where they stood in for Hunslet due to the players’ strike, guiding his club to two credible performances at Wigan and Bramley. He is a member of Hunslet’s Hall Of Fame.
Don Graham’s debut was also Hunslet’s first game of 1947/48. The programme notes concentrated on player recruitment. Established players were becoming more expensive as they became available and the club felt they had a reservoir of talent in the club’s system ready to come through when the time was right, but commented there were over 400 junior clubs playing in Yorkshire and Lancashire and they had to ensure they were watched regularly. The signing of Australian Vic Hey was a move in this direction as he was also recruited in a coaching role assisted by former player George Todd. It was also reported that forward Joe Britton would be unavailable for a few weeks due to illness. The Whitehouse Street branch of the Supprters Club had presented the club with a new flag which followed a donation of £35 and promise of a similar donation in the near future. If anyone is looking for a job, two additional programme sellers were required.
The 1974/75 season had started a week ago but today was the first home game against Hull and the programme looked back at some of the great forwards who had played in the Black and White. Also covered were ground improvements including a new well drained playing surface and new floodlights were ready for erection. This would allow entry to the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and Sunday games could also be played with a 3.30 kick off in the darker months. Paul Daley had been engaged as Team Manager. Former players Freddie Williamson and Geoff Crewdson would assist. Injuries to Bob Gaitley and Geoff Nicholls meant a weakened team for the opener at Leigh. A 13-13 draw was a rare occurrence of points being brought back from Hilton Park. The “A” Team started their season with a 19-7 win over an experienced Huddersfield side and winger Barry Lee had been granted a testimonial.
