THE Hunslet RL Ex-Parkside Former Players’ Association will make history on Sunday (5 June) with its 50th reunion.
The Association has been hailed as the most exclusive in sport as membership is limited to men who played for Hunslet at the famous old Parkside ground prior to the stadium’s controversial sale in 1973, and to guest speakers.
A reunion was arranged immediately and has been held annually – traditionally on the first Sunday in June – ever since.
Even the coronavirus pandemic failed to break the stalwarts’ resolve, the 2020 gathering being conducted by Zoom.
The 50th gathering will take place at its usual venue, the unfailingly hospitable Hilton, in Leeds, when Peter Jarvis will orchestrate events in his own inimitable style. The Association’s President Kenny Sykes said: “We’ve been told a number of times by our guest speakers, who become honorary members, that ours is the most exclusive club in sport, possibly anywhere in the word, and we don’t disagree with that.
“Each and every one of our reunions is therefore very special, but next week’s certainly has extra meaning. I suspect that most of us, including two or three who were Rugby League hard men on the field of play but sentimental off it, will be teary-eyed. And I don’t suppose many of us will make the 100th!”
