The programme for todays 1981 fixture with Huddersfield reported that two players had been transferred to Humberside. Scrum-half Tony Dean went to The Boulevard to play for Hull and winger Peter Muscroft to Craven Park and Hull Kingston Rovers. It was also reported that Steve Lane had beaten the tries in a season record of 15 for the re-formed club set previously by Alan Griffiths and equalled by Peter Muscroft. Steve would end the season with 18.
The Supporters Development Association had news that the Hunslet Club were to proceed with the development of a new ground at Middleton Grove and hoped to sign the lease documents the following week. Supporters were asked to show their true support and loyalty and assist the Association and club raise the funds for the venture.
Today marked the end of Hunslet’s first season as a rugby club with a fixture at Burley-in -Wharfedale which was won 1 goal to nil. 25 fixtures were played and Hunslet won 13 and drew 3 in a satisfactory first outing for the new club. Billy Gilston, the founder of the club, made most appearances with 18 and was also top goalkicker with 6 while Matt Carr touched down 9 times to be top try scorer.
In 1978 Frank Davies scored 3 tries against Bramley to equal the tries in a match record for the new club set by Peter Muscroft 3 years earlier. And in 2009 Darren Robinson landed 11 goals in a 71-0 demolition of London Skolars equalling Simon Wilson’s record against Highfield in 1996.
There must have been great excitement in 1890 as Hunslet headed off to Crown Flatt Dewsbury for their first semi-final tie in the Yorkshire Cup. The ground was reported as full by 2.00 for the 3.15 kick off and over 25,000 finally made in it inside. Albert Goldthorpe turned out despite being advised not to by the doctor due to an ankle injury. On a breezy day, Huddersfield opened the scoring with a converted try and unfortunately that was the story of the day for Hunslet. Huddersfield were already four goals in front before James Goldthorpe scored an unconverted try and the Fartowners ran out winners by 5 goals to nil.
In the 3rd round of the 1902 Challenge Cup, Hunslet were on the road to Widnes. A try by winger Jim Smith converted by Albert Goldthorpe wiped out Widnes’ half time 5-0 lead but neither side could break the deadlock and it was back to Parkside for a mid-week replay.
Featherstone Rovers, having been a junior club until 1921, visited Parkside for the first time today in 1922. Honours were even with an 8-8 draw.
