Making his debut in 1900 at home to Liversedge was John Henry Shooter, known as “Snowy” in reference to his blond hair (which contrasted with his dark moustache). Born in Nottingham he was playing for Morley RU and had had the attention of Hunslet for some time, even agreeing to play on a number of occasions but not turning up. Whether he was reluctant to give up his amateur status is not known, but he had played for England four times and Yorkshire 21 which would end if he turned pro. Eventually he did make the move and went on to give Hunslet seven seasons of service, playing in the 1905 Yorkshire Cup final and a total of 205 matches. He was selected for Yorkshire for one match in 1902
“Snowy” Shooter
In 1969 Steve Blake made his debut after signing from Heworth ARLFC. He played 63 games and scored 8 tries and 7 goals before moving to York in 1972.
Steve Blake
Over the years the County Championship had slowly moved from it’s traditional slot of October / November to open today in 1965. The match was against Cumberland at Craven Park, Hull. After their impressive display at Wembley in May, Hunslet had three players selected for the game. Centre Geoff Shelton and forwards Bill Ramsey and Dennis Hartley were in the side which lost 3-19.
The 1962 Yorkshire Cup 1st round was today and Wakefield Trinity visited Parkside. They were the holders of both the Yorkshire and Challenge Cups so Hunslet’s win by 34-9 was particularly impressive even though Wakefield lost Skene after nine minutes with a dislocated shoulder. Jeff Stevenson was Hunslet’s star, scoring one try and making two.
In 1976 after home wins against Hull and Keighley, Hunslet visited Post Office Road in the Yorkshire Cup semi-final. Unfortunately Hunslet had six regulars missing – Alan Agar in hospital with concussion, Martin Foster ankle, Alan Griffiths and Arnie Long knees. All were hurt at Keighley in Sunday’s match on a pitch described as “like concrete”. Frank Davies was doubtful until just before kick-off and Bak Diabira and Peter Muscroft were longer term absentees. There had been so many injuries to attend to at Keighley the match ran over by 14 minutes. Featherstone easily won 34-0.
In 1984 against Barrow at home and with the clock running down Hunslet were 40-29 in front but somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Barrow scoring two late tries seeing them home 41-40, Hunslet’s highest score in a defeat.
In 2002 the fallout from the 1999 Grand Final debacle was still being felt as Hunslet finished the season one place above bottom. Only four matches were won all season (one against amateurs Woolston Rovers). Winger Bryn Powell scored over a quarter of Hunslet’s tries with 25 out of 97 and Gareth Naylor was top goal kicker (27) and points scorer (114).
Bryn Powell
