HUNSLET head-coach Alan Kilshaw has named his squad for tomorrow’s friendly fixture against leading amateur outfit Drighlington.

The match (on Saturday 29 April 2023, at the South Leeds Stadium), is a centrepiece of the celebrations surrounding fullback Jimmy Watson’s testimonial year. Both camps, however, intend to make full use of the game in bolstering their respective campaigns.

Drighlington, of the Impact Performance National Conference League, have won three of their five fixtures in the Third Division – including a notable success last week at Cumbrians Hensingham – and are determined to mount a serious push for promotion. They could, however, also give run-outs to a number of former Hunslet players, including the renowned front row man Michael Haley.

Kilshaw, meanwhile, will field around 20 players, including new loan signing Johnny Campbell, and will use the contest to further the Parksiders’ bid for promotion from Betfred League One. He said: “The game is all about honouring Jimmy’s commitment to the club over the past ten seasons, so it’s important we put in a performance that reflects that. In addition, with us in the middle of a four-week lay-off, the fixture gives us an opportunity to get some game-time into some players, and to continue other players’ development.”

Killer’s squad is: Jimmy Watson, Jake Sweeting, Harvey Hallas, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Aaron York, Nathan Newbound, Jordan Syme, Harvey Whiteley, Morgan Punchard, Liam Carr, Jamie Greenwood, Dan McGrath, Jordan Bull, Sean Croston, Alfie Goddard, Brad Wheeler, Spencer Darley, Matty Beharrell, Johnny Campbell.

Although the match kicks off at 1.00pm there is plenty of family entertainment – including face-painting, a tombola, cake and sweet stalls and a raffle – on offer beforehand, and the turnstiles open at 11.00am. The Phoenix Suite, the Dugout Bar and the Parkside Suite will all be open, with hot food available in the Phoenix.

And the celebrations will continue postmatch with a `Hunslet’s Got Talent’ Karaoke competition; Jimmy Watson, chairman Kenny Sykes and Hall of Famer Steve Pryce are among the self-billed favourites.

Admission to the ground is £10, £5 concessions and UNDER 16’s FREE.