Leeds rugby league club's fans stump up for medals: Hunslet RLFC upset after play-off final win
Fans of a Leeds-based rugby league team are fund-raising to buy medals for the players following victory in a play-off final last weekend.
Hunslet RLFC were “disappointed” to discover no medals were provided after their win away to Keighley Cougars in the Betfred League One play-offs, though they were presented with a trophy. Now a JustGiving page has been set up to purchase the mementoes for players and staff. As of Thursday evening, £560 had been raised towards at £800 target.
In a statement on social media. Hunslet chief executive Neil Hampshire said: “The club were disappointed to discover that the RFL did not provide medals for last Sunday’s play-off final. We will now source winners’ medals for all of our playing squad and coaching staff ourselves.”
In a change to previous seasons, the play-off win did not earn the Parksiders a place in the higher division and they will travel to Championship side Swinton Lions this Sunday for a sudden-death promotion/relegation shoot out. Hampshire suggested medals will be provided for that game, which will be streamed live on the Sportsman YouTube channel, but the Yorkshire Evening Post has been told that is not the case. An RFL spokesman said: “In Betfred League One, medals are awarded to the team who finish top of the league table, not the play-off winners.”