Tuesday 10th September 1974: Hull 12 Leeds 8


"........Hepworth tackled our captain, the usually mild mannered Brian Hancock, and much to the delight of the fans a fist fight involving six players immediately broke out centred around these two. Referee Lawrenson sent Hancock straight off the field, for what was the player’s first ever dismissal. His Hull FC team mates crowded round the official to object and Len Casey must have said a bit too much because off he went too, as the referee again pointed to the dressing rooms.

Our blind side prop forward that day ‘Big’ Jim Macklin, who never had that much patience, had by this time clearly had enough! The fiery front rower motioned to the players and pointed to the tunnel as most of them started to trudge defiantly towards the dressing rooms. Now this was a real surprise for the fans who had never ever contemplated seeing the players walking from the field in protest. It was simply unheard of and we were all stood in absolute amazement. The official, who clearly had no idea what to do next, (nothing new there then) told Leeds to ignore our players and get on with the penalty, Syd Hynes tapped the ball and set off arrogantly jogging down the pitch towards the Airlie Street end, with a wide grin on his face.

Alf Macklin, Jim’s brother who was stuck out on the wing and not part of the walk off, shouted to the lads and pointed to the Leeds player arrogantly jogging towards the line out of his own half. ‘F*cking get Him’ was his call and one that was taken up immediately around the terracing. Our players turned round, and in a fit of rage ran back across the field and Jim Macklin and Don Robson sunk the now fleeing Syd Hynes with one of the biggest crash tackles I have ever seen!! The referee had by now completely lost control and the game continued to the break by which time the eleven players of Hull FC, playing like men possessed, had somehow managed to tough it out, and keep the marauding Leeds forwards from scoring any points".

You are correct.

I remember when it happened and have just checked out the details. 1981/82, Rovers v Bradford, 6 players sent off including 4 from Bradford. On 56th minutes Jeff Grayson led his players off. Bradford and Jeff Grayson were heavily punished.

Do they need to look at a reduced fine for players say under 21? £250 is a big impact for young players on low money, and you might start to see some fringe players thinking is a career in RL worth it if they cop a few fines a season.

Agree, I think £250 for a young player or any player on the lower end of the pay scale £250 is a big chunk. Would have thought a more sensible approach would be to break the fines in to 3 grades according to pay scale.