Head Coach Dean Muir has called on Hunslet fans to get behind the team as the Parksiders kick-off their League 1 campaign on Sunday (17 March 2024) against Newcastle Thunder.
The game has been switched to the South Leeds Stadium as Newcastle could not get Kingston Park and the kick-off brought forward to 1pm so as not to clash with Leeds United’s match against Millwall.
Muir hopes fans will put Hunslet before the football as the club has provided Sky Sports in the Phoenix Bar so the football can be enjoyed after the Rugby.
“We are hoping our fans come out, we have a young team with a positive attitude and we need to attract a strong fan base from the younger end of our community.”
The last few weeks have been spent getting players back fit and gelling the team together with plenty of gym work. Hunslet have been struggling for field time because of the weather, but this will be the same for all League 1 sides.
“Things have been positive and the lads are ripping in. This is a good group who came through a tough pre-season and are now ready for the important task of the League season and aiming for promotion.” said Muir.
Although Newcastle have taken some heavy defeats in the 1895 cup Muir is under no illusions
“It’s game one of the season, this is a tough ask. Newcastle have played Wakefield and York who are top Championship sides, like us they will have been focusing on this fixture.”
In terms of injuries, Josh Jordan-Roberts is 50/50, whilst Billy Gaylor and Aaron Levy await the doctor’s OK after head injuries. It’s unlikely Sheils, Wray, Wilkinson or Kudangirana will take part but the rest are raring to go.
Will Adams has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in his impressive debut against Keighley, the Bradford Bulls man has been secured on loan for the rest of the season.
After some rotten luck with injuries in the 1895 cup and games coming thick and fast Muir hopes as well as winning the game Hunslet can finish with 17 fit players before next week’s trip to Rochdale.
Local community side Hunslet ARLFC will sponsor Sunday’s match and their Under 7’s will play Keighley Albion at 11.30am on the main pitch, the matchball has been sponsored by Barnsley Hunslet RLFC Supporters Club.
Hunslet RLFC Squad: Jimmy Watson, Jude Ferreira, Alfie Goddard, Harry Williams, Matty Beharrell, Harvey Hallas, Billy Gaylor, Toby Everett, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Aaron Levy, Michael Knowles, Jack Mallinson, Ross Whitmore, Lewis Wray, Cam Berry, Spencer Darley, Liam Carr, Aidan Scully, Ethan O’Hanlon, Jack Render, Will Adams.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are cheaper bought in advance at hunsletrflc.ticketco.events/uk where you can also purchase season tickets.
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
