Fan-owned Hunslet may return to private ownership

Hunslet chairman Neil Hampshire has stood down ahead of a meeting to discuss the future ownership of the club.

Currently run by the Hunslet Independent Supporters Trust (HIST), under the Supporters’ Direct umbrella, interested parties are being invited to contact the club as it seeks to gain investment.

In a statement on the club’s website, Hampshire said: “I believe that my departure provides the ideal opportunity for us to consider whether Hunslet should remain as a supporter owned club or move back into private ownership to try and attract additional investment and new talent to the Board, hopefully making us more competitive on all fronts.

“There is now increasing competition for sponsorship and fans across and beyond Rugby League and this all points to the need for new leadership, ideas and skillsets to move the Club forward.

“It’s important to understand that whether we stay supporter owned or move back into private ownership the club needs more members and additional investment to allow it to do that.

“I look forward to helping the Club secure the right leadership to take us to the next level as we move forward to the next chapter in our history.”

There would be no formal purchase charge for anyone wanting to take over the club, though they must agree that the club remains in the South Leeds area as a semi-professional or professional club, and that a seat on the board must be retained for a fans representative.

A meeting will be held on November 4 at the South Leeds Stadium for all interested fans and stakeholders.