On a Monday evening in 1953, Hunslet played Hull Kingston Rovers at Parkside and it turned out to something of a battle, referee John Jackson stopping the game six minutes from time after he had dismissed five players. First to go just before half-time was Rovers’ Derek Turner and it was after a 72nd minute flare up when Alf Burnell and Geoff Tullock followed him. That didn’t calm thing down as a minute later Les Williams and Jim Barraclough also walked and the referee ended the game. There was speculation after the game as to whether it was ended because of the fighting or the heavy rain and poor light. The ref left the ground without commenting. Two other players had to leave the field for doctor’s attention and another had had a stern talking-to. Ted Carroll was so severely concussed he passed out three times in the first half while being treated by the doctor and Hunslet played with 12 men for threequarters of the game. The Hunslet doctor was a busy man as he had to treat Rovers players as well as they had travelled without any medical supplies. Hunslet won the game with four tries 12-0 but would have to wait for the Rugby League to confirm if the result would stand. The disciplinary committee later suspended Turner for three matches, Burnell and Tullock for two and Barraclough for one. Les Williams case was thrown out as not guilty. The result stood.

Fred Pickup was signed from Leeds today and would become first debutant in the New Hunslet era. Also signing today from Leeds was winger Geoff Fisher.

Fred Pickup

Promoted Hunslet opened their 1963/64 First Division campaign at home to last season’s champions Swinton. The programme noted all Swinton’s international players and their achievements over the past few seasons. Many of Hunslet’s “A” team players had played in the first team last season and were to be coached by Jack Booth with Cyril Plenderleith looking after their interests in the committee room.

In 1980 Hunslet travelled to Headingley in the Yorkshire Cup. 1949 was the last time Hunslet had overcome Leeds in this competition and they would have to wait again after going down 12-31.

Debutants today were Geoff Nicholls in 1968 at home to Huyton, Bak Diabira, at Huyton in 1975 and Chris Walker at Leeds in 1980. Geoff was the longest serving playing 71 games in five seasons with 149 goals and 7 tries. He had already appeared in the first team albeit in the Lazenby Cup pre-season game. He moved to Barrow in 1970 then was with Wakefield Trinity and Leeds before returning home, his “second debut” being again against Huyton in the first game at the Greyhounds.

Geoff Nicholls