The clarion call has gone out from Hunslet Rugby League club to fans old and new to help support the naming of the main stand at the Parksiders’ South Leeds Stadium base in honour of the legendary Geoff Gunney.
Gunney, one of the finest backrow forwards of his generation, was also one of the most loyal, and was more than happy to remain at Hunslet despite regular approaches from other leading clubs of his era.
Capped 11 times for Great Britain, and a member of the Lions party that toured Australia in 1954, he made 579 appearances for Hunslet between 1951 and 1973, scoring 125 tries and kicking 73 goals.
Geoff Gunney, who could operate effectively at centre or fullback, played in several post-war finals, featuring in the second row in each.
He was a member of the side that lost 44-22 to St Helens in the classic 1958-59 Championship Final at Odsal, Bradford, before a 52,560 crowd and, seven years later, helped light up Wembley, when 89,016 spectators, plus millions of tv viewers, thrilled to an equally memorable game in which the Parksiders were edged 20-16 by Wigan.
Gunney picked up a Yorkshire Cup winners medal in 1961-62, courtesy of a 12-2 win over Hull KR before 22,742 at Headingley. Hunslet were on their way to the Division Two title that season, while the Robins were in Division One.
Less happily, the Parksiders were the victims of a real shock in the 1965-66 Yorkshire decider, losing 17-8 to the recently re-formed Bradford Northern before 17,522 at Headingley. At the same ground, in 1956-57, Hunslet had lost 23-5 to Wakefield Trinity in the White Rose competition, the attendance of 30,942 not being eclipsed in the remaining years of a competition which was shelved by the Rugby Football League at the end of 1992-93 campaign.
That fine service - and his Corinthian approach to the sport, which earned him the Yorkshire Federation of Rugby League Supporters’ Clubs’ Finest and Most Loyal Player award in the 1960s - led to him being presented with an MBE in 1970.
Three years later he was a driving force in the launch of New Hunslet, only weeks after he had been the last man to leave the pitch following Hunslet’s last game at Parkside - a 22-5 defeat by York on 21 April 1973 - following the sale of the iconic ground by the then-board.
Hunslet director Peter Jarvis, who played alongside Gunney in the 1960s, said: "We are grateful to Leeds City Council for granting permission to name the stand the 'Geoff Gunney MBE Stand.'
This honour is long overdue. Without Geoff Gunney there would be no club today. He epitomises the spirit of Hunslet and I know that the people of Leeds - and the whole Rugby League family - will get behind this project."
In addition, new signage, which is currently being designed, will feature above the main entrance to the South Leeds Stadium, and above the players’ tunnel.
An initial fundraising target has been set of £4,000. Donations can be made by clicking HERE.
