The 1966 tourists arrived at Manchester Airport after their return journey from Down Under and Hunslet’s representatives Bill Ramsey (sporting a broken arm) and Geoff Shelton announced they would not play for Hunslet again and were determined to secure a move another club. Ramsey didn’t play in 1966/67 but was back the following season to play 12 games before moving to Leeds in December 1967. He later played for Bradford Northern, Widnes and Hull FC and toured again in 1974. He returned to New Hunslet in 1978 as player / coach guiding the club to promotion,  Shelton was back in the team after Christmas but only played twice before transferring to Oldham and later Warrington.

The first season of the Summer Era ended today. Hunslet had played in the Division Two Championship and player / coach David Plange took them to a third place finish out of the twelve clubs. He certainly got them playing attacking rugby as they averaged 32 points a game. Simon Wilson became the third Hunslet player to play and score in every game in the season after Billy Langton and Mick Parrish. He was obviously top goal and points scorer and the try award went to the coach with 25.

Simon Wilson

Winger Arthur Thurling was registered today in 1939. He gave good service to Hunslet in the war as well as guest appearances for Bradford Northern and hometown club Keighley. After 56 games and 26 tries, he transferred to Keighley in 1947.

A true unsung hero of the club was Ernest Young,  the club’s scrum half throughout the 20s. He was registered today in 1921 and made his debut towards the end of the season. From 1922/23 he took the scrum-half position from Titch Brogden and missed very few games before retiring in 1929. He played 274 games and scored 78 tries. He was selected for Yorkshire twice and was club captain in 1928/29.

The 1923/24 season opened today with a game at Hull Kingston Rovers. The Athletic News’ preview of the upcoming season showed that no signings had been made, the club concentrating on improving spectator accommodation. Full-back Arthur Feltham was mentioned as the stand out player.

The same paper reported that Hunslet were leaving well alone for the 1928/29 season which started today with a game at home to Batley. Any signings would likely be from their own juniors.

Following the Wembley triumph over Widnes Hunslet opened the 1934/35 season with a game at Castleford. Yet again they stuck with what they had although as the season progressed Johnny Place, James Traill and George Broughton would make their debuts, all making more than 100 appearances.

1945/46 opened with the War in Europe over. Players were being demobbed and returning to their clubs or were newcomers looking for a team. One such played stand-off for Hunslet at Hull today under the pseudonym “Smith”. Hull were so impressed with his performance that they approached him after the game to sign for them but Hunslet committee man F Bartlett saved the day by obtaining his signature. The player was Able Seaman Ernest Ruston. After playing as an unknown for England against Scotland in the services RU international he then impressed playing for his command against a London District XV and he was selected for England against Scotland and Wales. From the Belle Isle Estate he had played for Hunslet Carr School and Hunslet Supporters before joining the Navy. He would play 115 games for Hunslet scoring 26 tries and one goal.

Ernie Ruston

1991/92 also commenced today with a heavy defeat at York in the Yorkshire Cup Preliminay Round.