Hunslet RLFC celebrates its history

Friday 13 September 2024 saw Hunslet RLFC join in with the Heritage Open Days festival for the first time.

Archives were put on display which are usually locked away due to their fragility. Perhaps the star of the show was the 1883 Minutes Book which starts with:

“Proposed that there be a Rugby Football Club in connection with the Cricket Club.”

The 1883 Minute Book

Other memorabilia included many photographs from the 1965 Wembley Challenge Cup Final trip; a set of 4 beauty queen sashes won by Hunslet supporter, Jill Robinson MBE; old wooden football-style rattles, and a set of 11 medals won by Arthur Spinks when at Hunslet Carr School in the early 1920s.

Hunslet memorabilia on display

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, kindly graced the event, chatting to fans and ex-players and showing great interest in the exhibit on Lucius Banks, who, in 1912, became the first person of colour to play in any type of professional sport in the UK.

The Lord Mayor enjoys meeting ex-players L–R Peter Jarvis, Keith Rowson and Alan Charlton

The successful event will be repeated next year, with another selection of archives.

 

This post was written by Pat Benatmane

Main photo: Old friends and past players caught up in the convivial atmosphere, with the 1965 Wembley final on the screen

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