Leeds-based rugby league club in good financial health despite £45,000 loss

Hunslet's long-serving full-back Jimmy Watson in pre-season action against Leeds Rhinos last year. Picture by Paul Whitehurst/Hunslet RLFC.

The supporter-owned outfit finished second in Betfred League One last year, which is the third tier ofn the professional game, but promotion hopes were dashed when they suffered successive home defeats in the play-offs. Hampshire, however, feels the club are making progress on and off the field.

Reacting to financial results for the year end last November, he insisted: “Our medium-term strategy had seen us plan for this loss as we invested more into the playing squad in 2023. We had posted profits for the previous three years and it was a conscious decision to use our reserves for a concerted promotion bid.”

Hunslet chief executive Neil Hampshire. Picture by Hunslet RLFC.

He added: “We are in relatively good financial shape but take nothing for granted. We have kept the same playing budget for 2024; we know there will be clubs that have spent more, but we are confident we will be in the mix come the end of the season.”

Hampshire stressed: “As a supporter-owned club we are very transparent with our finances. We have knowledgeable staff, supporters, members and sponsors who understand the challenges we face. Together we will continue to work hard to grow our income streams and control our cost base. It is a challenge we are all looking forward to.

“Finishing second in the regular league with a 100 per cent home record was our best season since being promoted in 2014. Off the field we also saw an upturn in all our revenue streams, with the exception of RFL central funding”.