Mike Leadbetter

Not to be confused with Mike Leadbitter.

Michael Maurice Leadbetter (1946–2009) was a rugby union international and rugby league player, who represented England in 1970.^[1]

Mike Leadbetter

Birth name	Michael Maurice Leadbetter
Date of birth	(1946-07-25)25 July 1946
Place of birth	Southport, England
Date of death	17 April 2009(2009-04-17) (aged 62)
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
School	Ladybarn
University	Manchester College of Art and Design Manchester University
Occupation(s)	Director of Social Services
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) – Broughton Park () – Lancashire () 1972 North West Counties () – Barbarian F.C. () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1970 England 1
Rugby league career
Playing information
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Rochdale Hornets

Early life

Mike Leadbetter was born on 25 July 1946 in Southport.^[1] He attended Ladybarn, a local secondary modern school, and left in 1961 aged 15, without qualifications. After a few years he began his first career in printing and followed this through a series apprenticeships leading to a diploma in management and print technology from Manchester College of Art and Design.^[2]

Rugby career

Leadbetter played his club rugby for Broughton Park, and made his international début on 18 April 1970 at Colombes in the France vs England match.^[1] Along with Broughton Park team mate Tony Neary, he was also part of a famous North West Counties team which defeated the All Blacks, 16-14, in Workington in 1972.^[3]

Described as a giant of a man, he also played 35 times for Lancashire. Leadbetter subsequently switched to rugby league^[1] going to Rochdale Hornets.^[4]

References

1. Mike Leadbetter Profile on scrum.com
2. Obituary of Mike Leadbetter in the Guardian, Drew Clode, The Guardian, Friday 24 April 2009
3. NOWIRUL(E) TIMES ISSUE NO. 1 Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
4. Sporting memories from the Rochdale Observer 17 September 2004