| Stuart Spruce | |
| Fullname: | Stuart Arthur Spruce[1] |
| Birth Date: | 3 January 1971 |
| Height: | 6feet |
| Weight: | 15st |
| Club1: | Widnes |
| Year1start: | 1990 |
| Year1end: | 96 |
| Appearances1: | 127 |
| Tries1: | 41 |
| Goals1: | 7 |
| Fieldgoals1: | 0 |
| Points1: | 178 |
| Club2: | Bradford Bulls |
| Year2start: | 1996 |
| Year2end: | 01 |
| Appearances2: | 86 |
| Tries2: | 46 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Fieldgoals2: | 0 |
| Points2: | 184 |
| Club3: | Widnes Vikings |
| Year3start: | 2002 |
| Year3end: | 03 |
| Appearances3: | 54 |
| Tries3: | 22 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Fieldgoals3: | 0 |
| Points3: | 88 |
| Teama: | England |
| Yearastart: | 1992 |
| Yearaend: | 00 |
| Appearancesa: | 3 |
| Triesa: | 1 |
| Goalsa: | 0 |
| Fieldgoalsa: | 0 |
| Pointsa: | 4 |
| Teamb: | Great Britain |
| Yearbstart: | 1993 |
| Yearbend: | 96 |
| Appearancesb: | 6 |
| Triesb: | 0 |
| Goalsb: | 0 |
| Fieldgoalsb: | 0 |
| Pointsb: | 0 |
| Coachteam1: | Widnes Vikings |
| Coachyear1start: | 2004 |
| Coachgames1: | 0 |
| Coachwins1: | 0 |
| Coachdraws1: | 0 |
| Coachlosses1: | 0 |
| Retired: | yes |
| Source: | [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] |
| Updated: | 30 September 2020 |
Stuart Arthur Spruce (born 3 January 1971) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He played as a for the Widnes Vikings and the Bradford Bulls, and represented England and Great Britain at international level.[2] [3]
Stuart Spruce made his début for Widnes during the 1989-90 season, under coach Doug Laughton. When regular fullback Alan Tait quit for Leeds, Spruce became the permanent fullback. Bradford Bulls paid a record £120,000 for a fullback when they signed Spruce in May 1996. The previous record of £90,000 was paid by St Helens to Warrington for David Lyon in September 1992.[7]
Spruce played for Bradford Bulls at in the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St. Helens. He became known as a good defensive player and an excellent offense. James Lowes, who played with him throughout his time with Bradford, paid this tribute: "Stuart has been one of the best fullbacks of his generation. He is a great talker on the field and a devastating runner."
He played for Bradford until the week before the 2001 Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, when he announced his retirement due to injury.[8]
Spruce came out of retirement to play for Widnes during their inaugural Super League season in 2002.[9] He made a total of 54 appearances before retiring permanently at the end of the 2003 Super League season.[10]
Spruce won caps for England while at Widnes in 1992 against Wales and while at Bradford Bulls in 2000 against Russia (sub) and Fiji,[4] and won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1993 against France, and while at Bradford Bulls in 1996 against Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand (3 matches).[5]
Stuart served briefly as caretaker head coach after Neil Kelly left.