The fourth instalment of the series listing Hunsletโs heritage numbers continues with the men who made their debuts for the club between 1891 and 1895, when the Parksiders were leading lights in the `breakawayโ of 22 clubs from Rugby Union, to form the Northern Union, over the `broken timeโ issue.
Guardian of the List Martin Stewart writes: โUp to 1892 all matches were considered `first classโ (except for cup ties) and were organised by the clubs. They were, in effect, friendlies.
โIn 1892 a league structure (Yorkshire Senior Competition) was introduced with fixtures organised by the ruling body. Other fixtures were added by the clubs to `fill outโ the fixture list.โ
He continues: โOn 23rd April 1892 Hunslet beat Leeds 21-0 at Huddersfield to win their first trophy – the “T’Owd Tin Pot” (Yorkshire Cup). One interesting feature of this game was the inclusion of Jack Wright, a second team winger, to make his first team debut in the final. This was due to Leeds objecting to a couple of regular Hunslet players they said were ineligible and Hunslet decided not to play them.
โSome ‘big hitters’ on this list who went on to have a big influence on Hunslet’s fortunes in the early years of the Northern Union are: Barraclough, Deacon, Hannah, Mitchell, Robinson, Walsh and Wright, who played against Bradford at Headingley in the 1897-98 Championship Play Off Final after the teams had finished level in the table at the end of the season.
โHannah, Mitchell, Robinson, Rubery, Walsh and Wright appeared in Hunslet’s first appearance in the Challenge Cup Final, against Oldham in 1898-99 which was lost 9-19 at Fallowfield, Manchester. Hannah, Robinson and Walsh also represented Yorkshire (Hannah also played for his native Cumberlandโ.
Northern Union statistics for those who played in both eras are:
| First Name | Last Name | P | G | T | Pts |
| Harry | Barraclough | 147 | 12 | 1 | 38 |
| James | Deacon | 98 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| W | Ellis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Billy | Eno | 73 | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| Tom | Gillings | 118 | 3 | 10 | 36 |
| H | Greenwood | 65 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Billy | Hannah | 224 | 5 | 105 | 329 |
| F | Hill | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arthur | Mawson | 44 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| John “Jack” | Mitchell | 191 | 5 | 20 | 72 |
| Herb | Robinson | 193 | 5 | 38 | 128 |
| Richard | Rubery | 99 | 1 | 6 | 20 |
| Owen | Walsh | 143 | 0 | 11 | 33 |
| John “Jack” | Wright | 163 | 3 | 31 | 101 |
How can I get a hard copy of this, please? Jack Wright was my Grandfather; I think he is middle of front row, but I have not seen this photo before.
We can send you the digital picture Geoff?
That would be good , thanks. How does that work?
My cousin has Jack’s medal fronm the 98/99 Cup Final – I am hoping to be able to bring it along when I come to receive Jack’s Heritage Certificate.
Can you tell me what year this photo was taken? Always on the hunt for Harry Barraclough my great grandpa!
Can you also email me a digital copy of the group photo?
Hi Amanda, if you right click on it and save it you can save the original picture.