 |
History |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
T H E B E G I N N I N G S During the football boom which spread through England prior to 1900, Leeds was always a "rugby" city. Rugby football clubs were set up as sections of cricket clubs and cricket grounds were used to host this winter newcomer. The Hunslet club was no exception, being the child of Hunslet cricket club. In an effort to protect their playing surface in May 1883 they granted two local teams - Albion and Excelsior- £30 to form Hunslet Rugby Club. By the end of the same year they were joined by the Imperial side and the Hunslet club had definitely arrived. This was confirmed the following season when Hunslet beat Leeds St Johns (later to become Leeds Rugby League Club) in the third round of the Yorkshire cup. Better fixtures and larger crowds had the inevitable consequence that the landlord at their ground at the Woodhouse Hill enclosure (Mr Cusworth of the "Cemetery Tavern") wanted to put up the rent. The two parties failed to agree terms and the search was on for a new ground.
|
|
|
|
|
E A R L Y S U C C E S S ( E S P E C I A L L Y 1 9 0 7 / 0 8 ) In the 1905-06 season Hunslet won the Northern Union version of the Yorkshire Cup for the first time, giving others sides an early warning of what was to come in terms of collecting club honours.
Although early games were played under the same rules as those used by clubsv loyal to the old regime, the new Northern Union was more open to rule changes designed to make the game more open and hence a more appealing spectacle. One of the most obvious changes was a reduction in the number of players from fifteen to thirteen in 1906. Hunslet profited from this alteration almost immediately by winning all four trophies available to them in the 1907-08 season. Following this success, several players left Parkside either going into retirement or being transferred to other clubs. This was a curious pre-echo of what was to happen after the 1965 cup final.
|
|
|
|
|
T H E B A R R E N Y E A R S Following the successes of 1907/08, Hunslet enetered a barren period only interupted by the World War 1. Walter Guerin was the driving force for much of this period and in may ways it was thanks to him that a strong team was slowly assmbled by the end of the 1920's.
|
|
|
|
|
T H E 1 9 3 0 ' S Success only returned to the Parksiders in 1932 when Hunslet became Yorkshire League Trophy winners and also lost in the final of the Yorkshire cup. In the 1933/34 season the club celebrated its 50th anniversary in some style by beating Widnes in the Cup Final at Wembley. Four years later, Hunslet beat Leeds in the Championship final at Elland Road. Hunslet's wave of success was only halted by the Second World War.
|
|
|
|
|
P O S T W A R S U C C E S S A N D U L T I M A T E G R O U N D S A L E When peace time returned, Hunslet attempted to continue where they had left off but despite reaching a number of semi-finals and finals they never quite managed to win anything. Never-the-less, they did manage a respectable record in the league and produced a string of international players. The club's strength had always lain it the seemingly endless supply of local talent. This was blended with a cocktail of Welsh and Australian imports.
When the 1960's started, Hunslet could best be described as classic underachievers. They had a group of experienced and talented players but were not able to harness their skills to best effect. This situation changed dramatically when Fred Ward was appointed player coach at the start of the 1962/63 season. Within a period of three years they won promotion to the top division (where they achieved a secure position), appeared in two Yorkshire Cup finals in addition to taking part in one of the best ever Wembley cup finals in 1965. Just as in 1908, however, the glory evaporated as quickly as it had arrived. Four senior players retired and another five were transferred. By 1967 the dream was over, Ward had left the club and Hunslet's decline almost entered free fall. In autumn 1972 the ground was sold and by July 1973 the club secretary had to announce the winding up of the club.
|
|
|
|
|
N E W H U N S L E T A N D L I F E O N T H E R O A D Finally, in 1995, Hunslet returned to where they belonged by moving into the specially constructed South Leeds Stadium, no more than a quarter of a mile from the old Parkside. On 19th November, Leigh were the guests at Hunslet's first home game for twenty two years.
|
|
|
|
|
B A C K H O M E A N D M O D E R N D A Y S U C C E S S Finally, in 1995, Hunslet returned to where they belonged by moving into the specially constructed South Leeds Stadium, no more than a quarter of a mile from the old Parkside. On 19th November, Leigh were the guests at Hunslet's first home game for twenty two years.
The 1996-97 season finished with Hunslet denied promotion from Division Two by the narrowest of margins and May 1997 saw them back at Wembley for the first time since 1965. Promotion as Divison Two champions followed by victory in a thrilling Ford Premiership Grand Final against Dewsbury in 1999 confirm the progress that has been made. All that is needed now is for the men in grey suits to allow Hunslet back into the top division.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
