Mike Leadbetter should not be confused with Mike Leadbitter.
| Mike Leadbetter | |||||
| Birth Name: | Michael Maurice Leadbetter | ||||
| Birth Date: | 1946 7, df=y | ||||
| Birth Place: | Southport, England | ||||
| Height: | 6feet | ||||
| Occupation: | Director of Social Services | ||||
| School: | Ladybarn | ||||
| University: | Manchester College of Art and Design Manchester University | ||||
| Position: | Lock | ||||
| Clubs1: | Broughton Park | ||||
| Clubs2: | Lancashire | ||||
| Years3: | 1972 | ||||
| Clubs3: | North West Counties | ||||
| Clubs4: | Barbarian F.C. | ||||
| Repcaps1: | 1 | ||||
| Repyears1: | 1970 | ||||
| Module: |
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Michael Maurice Leadbetter (1946–2009) was a rugby union international and rugby league player, who represented England in 1970.[1]
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]
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]