Hunslet v Salford. 

As I mentioned in the previous meeting a few months ago games between Salford and Hunslet have been very rare in my life time. Apart from the odd Cup meeting. 2026 is the first time these two clubs have met in the same League for almost forty years. We did both compete in the old Second Division in the 1990/91 season but with their being 21 teams in the league that year some teams we didn’t meet and Hunslet were one of those. 

Red ties, white chinos and Rick Astley were all the rage in 1987 when the two sides last met in West Yorkshire for a league encounter. Salford won that fixture 12-14 in October 1987. Hunslet were promoted to the top flight after winning the second division title the previous season. They finished three points above Swinton in 1986/87 with 25 wins from 28 games in a magnificent campaign. Both Hunslet and Swinton were promoted to the first division and they also met in the Second Division premiership final at Old Trafford. Swinton won that day 27-10.

Hunslet’s time in the top flight was very short lived. At the end of the 1987/88 season they were relegated along with Swinton and Leigh. Salford just about stayed up after a frantic end to the season. 

In recent decades Hunslet have played in the various Leagues outside Super League and they did beat Dewsbury in the first division Grand Final in 1999 at Headingley. 

In 2024 they won promotion from League one after a glorious playoff run beating some really fancied teams away from home.

They were always affectionately known as the Parksiders and if you’ve never been to their home the South Leeds Stadium I highly recommend a visit this Sunday. It’s a very unique ground and the view from the main stand is one of the best in the country.

Post war League away record.

Hunslet 5

Draws 1

Salford 6

1987 Hunslet 12 Salford 14

1982 Hunslet 18 Salford 35

1982 Hunslet 10 Salford 10

1979 Hunslet 4 Salford 7

1977 Hunslet 14 Salford 17

1966 Hunslet 21 Salford 6

1962 Hunslet 46 Salford 5

1953 Hunslet 19 Salford 6

1952 Hunslet 15 Salford 13

1949 Hunslet 4 Salford 10

1948 Hunslet 15 Salford 0

1947 Hunslet 6 Salford 13

They played for both.

Over the years player movement between the two clubs has been quite a rare event. Here is a list of a few from yesteryear. 

Andy Ballard, Richie Barnett, Peter Brown, Myles Dalton-Harrop, Lee Gaskell, Matty Gee, Ricky Helliwell, Liam Hood, Warren Jowitt, Neil Lowe, Francis Maloney, Luke Menzies, Paul Mansson and Bryn Powell. 

A match to remember Sunday 18th October 1987.

Hunslet 12 Salford 14.

This match was played at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground. As previously mentioned Hunslet had been promoted from the second division. It was a pretty grim and overcast day in West Yorkshire. Both teams were struggling in the First Division. Six games into the season and Hunslet had managed a draw against Swinton along with five defeats. 

Salford had been boosted by the signing of Australian Test fullback Gary Jack. Another fullback played that day only he featured on the wing. That player was Steve Gibson. ‘Gibbo’ would soon become a real hero at Salford and he built a fantastic career with our club. 

Hunslet back rower Alan Platt kicked four goals in an all action display. Platt had long blonde hair and was a very explosive runner of the ball. 

Salford had plenty of pace on the edges with Gibbo, Ken Jones, Fazackerley and Greg Austin. Austin had a fantastic try ratio at every club he played for and he scored two in this match. Loose forward Terry O’Shea scored Salford’s other try.

The teams that day,

Hunslet, Irvine, Tate, Coates, Bowden, Wilson, Benson, Milton, Mason, Gibson, Morgan, Platt, Gillespie, Webb.

Subs, Lay, Simpson.

Salford, Jack, Gibson, Austin, Fazackerley, Jones, Bloor, Cairns, Herbert, Moran, McTigue, Worrall, Bullough, O’Shea.

Subs, Glynn, Major.

Referee, Gerry Kershaw.

Attendance, 1,418.

Sunday’s match.

Hunslet have been a bit of an enigma in 2026. Form has been up and down and in recent months they’ve shipped a lot of points in. They’ve had some very impressive victories over Rochdale Hornets, Keighley and Newcastle but have lost their last three games. A 72-24 defeat at Oldham in the 1895 Cup highlights their leaky defence but when London visited the South Leeds Stadium a fortnight ago Hunslet pushed them really well in a very hard fought contest particularly in the first half. The match ended 18-54 to the Broncos but considering the amount of points Jason Demetriou’s side have dished out this season it was perhaps a moral victory for the Parksiders!

Despite defeat against Doncaster on Sunday Salford are a team on the up. Dave Hewitt has certainly made his mark as head coach and slowly but surely he’s piecing together a very young, hungry and competitive side. I’ve been lucky enough to interview the majority of the squad over the last few months and I must say every player’s attitude and work ethic has been absolutely spot on. You couldn’t ask for more. Players are willing to learn and the bond between the playing group and staff is as tight as I’ve known it.

Toby Hughes has really come into form in the last few matches as a running half and youngster Lewis Pilling is gaining valuable experience. Pilling showed plenty of quality in the match against Doncaster and it’s very exciting seeing these lads progress week by week. Kieran Dixon has been a very good addition to the team and I’ve been impressed with Callum Green and Owain Abel as both lads continue to force their way into the team giving Hewitt a good selection headache.

The action gets under way at 3pm

Safe travels and enjoy the game.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.