| Birth name | Michael Maurice Leadbetter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 25 July 1946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Southport, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 17 April 2009 (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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Michael Maurice Leadbetter (1946–2009) was a rugby union international and rugby league player, who represented England in 1970.[1]
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]