In 1938 The Yorkshire Post was reporting that a Hunslet innovation was to pad their newly erected goal posts with rubber protectors fastened at the back to a height of 5 feet to protect players from collisions with the posts. It was said it was a rare type of accident but usually serious. The article also mentioned that another first by the club earlier in the month was the opening of a “Publicity Store”. Memorabilia would be on display and season and match tickets could be purchased.  

In 1890 Hunslet were on tour on the Isle Of Man. In their team for the first game against Douglas was A Jones at centre, who had not been mentioned in the preview of the tour. Two days later G Jones played at centre against Pick Of The Island. When I spoke to Steve Calline he was of the opinion that this was Albert Goldthorpe who had travelled incognito for whatever reason. On reading the match reports I have to agree. He ran the show in both games and kicked four goals.  

A few of the club’s many representatives were plying their trade today. Back in 1911 The Australasian tourists had just arrived in England and their first match was against The Midlands and South West at Coventry. Representing Hunslet was James “Danny” Wyburn who had recently joined from Gloucester RU. After a six week sea journey the tourists wouldn’t be at their best and the match reports mention their weak forwards and strong backs. Wyburn scored a try as Australasia won 20-11.

In 1957 the White Rose county team travelled to Widnes to face their Red Rose rivals. A win would give Yorkshire the County Championship but of the original selection six were absent due to a flu epidemic. The score see-sawed in the first half but in the second Yorkshire’s forwards subdued the Lancashire six and won the match 25-11. Geoff Gunney and Alan Snowden scored tries and Sam Smith was at hooker.

At the Boulevard, Hull in 1964 Yorkshire again were up against Lancashire and again they were playing for the Championship. Dennis Hartley was at prop and Geoff Gunney was non-playing sub as he brought the curtain down on his County career having played in nine previous games.

1936’s Yorkshire Cup quarter-final brought Halifax to Parkside. Hunslet won the tie 15-7 but the match reports agree Halifax were to blame for their own downfall. Two tries after basic defensive errors for Cyrill Morrell, the first an interception of a wild pass, the second awarded for blatant obstruction and a third to Cyril Plenderleith when two defenders left it to one another and he went through unopposed put Hunslet 11-5 in front at half time. Two penalties by Jack Walkington to one by Lockwood completed the scoring. Lockwood had missed five penalty kicks, two from in front of the posts.

In 1953 it was Keighley’s turn to visit Parkside in the quarter-final. Referee Frank Smith was picked out for his constant whistling for petty infringements and stopping the game to warn players. As such the game was stop start and the only piece of real football was when Gabby feinted to break through and put winger Les Williams away for the game’s only try.  Hunslet blew two further try soring chances and Keighley forward Murphy was sent off followed by Prescott with a head injury as they finished with 11 men. Hunslet won 11-2 thanks to Arthur Talbot’s goal-kicking.

In 1972 it was a trip to the Mount in the John Player Trophy to face Batley. Hunslet were well beaten 3-26, Barry Lee getting the try.

Barry Lee

In 1925, one of Hunslet’s many “unsung heroes” made his debut at home to Wigan. From Ryton -on-Tyne in County Durham, forward James Traill played in the 1929 and 1931 Yorkshire Cup finals. In nine seasons he played 204 games and scored 12 tries and 92 goals. He had two rugby playing sons, Ken who played for Hunslet and was an international at Bradford Northern and Andy who played at Keighley.