It was “all hands to the mast” back in 1973 when stalwarts set about launching New Hunslet following the demise of the old club.
Ken Bond recalls: “At the time the Parkside ground was sold I was Head of Geography at Parkside School and also ground secretary of the Arthur Thornton Ground on Gipsy Lane. The other grounds run by the Leeds Schools Sports Association were the TV Harrison Ground on Oldfield Lane and the Archie Gordon Ground near Kirkstall Bridge.
“As ground secretary I was approached by a Parkside Committee member with a request for the team players to train on the Arthur Thornton Ground – I obtained permission from the LSSA Committee to allow this training to take place, realising that there were few other options, with limited ground and changing facilities around.”
Ken concludes: “Training did take place and I believe the Parkside RL Club Board also held meetings in the pavilion to discuss the future of the club – this was a helping hand when they most needed it.”
I remember Ken when he was Deputy Head at Middleton Park High, when I was a governor there, back in the 80/90s – did great work on the RL front and was an excellent school leader!