Mike Leadbetter
| Full name | Michael Morris Leadbetter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 July 1946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Southport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 17 April 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | aged 62 years 266 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ladybarn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University |
Manchester College of Art and Design Manchester University |
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| Occupation(s) | director of social services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position(s) | Lock | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| ? to ? County: 1968 to ? Other representative: 1972 Invitational: ? |
Broughton Park Lancashire North West Counties Barbarian F.C. |
() | |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| 1970 |
 England
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1 | () |
Mike Leadbetter (1946–2009) was a rugby union international who represented England in 1970.
Mike Leadbetter was born on 25 July 1946 in Southport. Mike was the younger of two brothers, and his family is one with deep roots in the Southport area, predating the construction of Southport itself. Mike was known to have been very proud of his family's roots in the fishing and farmworking of the area. However, both he and his brother Alan, who was to become a physicist, did not follow their forebears. 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.
Leadbetter played his club rugby for Broughton Park and made his international debut on 18 April 1970 at Colombes in the France vs England match, that was one by France. 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.
Described as a giant of a man, he also played 35 times for Lancashire. Leadbetter subsequently switched to rugby league going to Rochdale Hornets.
Leadbetter went on to become president of the Association of Directors of Social Services. On 17 April 2009 he died of cancer.
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