Hunslet v Leeds Rhinos: Traditional derby renamed in honour of stalwart Harry Jepson OBE

The sides’ annual pre-season meeting – at South Leeds Stadium on Sunday, January 15 – will be for the Harry Jepson OBE Memorial Cup.

The new trophy has been named in memory of the former Hunslet secretary and Rhinos president who died in August, aged 96.

The award replaces the Lazenby Cup, which was first played for in 1912 and reintroduced 12 years ago.

Admission prices for next year’s game – sponsored by Leeds Brewery – will be £15 adults, £10 concessions and £5 for under-16’s.

Jepson was a legendary figure at both Leeds’ professional clubs.

He began supporting Hunslet in the 1920s and later combined roles at the south Leeds club with his day-to-day 
career as a school teacher.

Jepson moved across the city to Headingley at the end of the 1960s, eventually becoming Leeds’ football director and being responsible for recruiting a host of top overseas players in the 1980s, including Aussie superstar Eric Grothe.

He was also an inaugural member of the Rugby Football League’s board of directors and chaired the meeting in 1995 which led to Super League being introduced.

Meanwhile, season tickets for Hunslet’s Kingstone Press League One campaign are now on sale. Passes are priced £125 for adults, £84 concessions and £35 for under-16s. ‘I am Hunslet’ membership packages will also be available.