Christopher Sanderson
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" Sanderson was an English
professional rugby league
footballer of the 1970s who at club played for York Juniors
, and Leeds
, playing /, or /, i.e. number 6, or 7.
' 15-11 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers
in the 1975–76 Yorkshire Cup
final, and in the 16-12 victory over Featherstone Rovers
in the 1976–77 Challenge Cup
final.
on 8 September 1971, and he played in the 1974–75 Challenge Cup
matches against Bradford Northern
and Salford
, and the semi-final defeat to Warrington
. During a match against Salford
at the Willows on 22 April 1977, Chris Sanderson collapsed following a tackle
, he died later that day at a nearby hospital.
victory was dedicated to Chris Sanderson, and his wife Sally's first guest invited in to the Leeds dressing room. Chris Sanderson's testimonial match
at Leeds on the 12 May 1977, was attended by 11,000 people and raised £7,000 for his family (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £54,500 in 2009).
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1970s who at club played for York Juniors
York City Knights
York City Knights Rugby League Club is a British professional rugby league club hailing from York. They play at the Huntington Stadium, situated to the north of York city centre...
, and Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, playing /, or /, i.e. number 6, or 7.
County Cup final appearances
Chris Sanderson was a substitute in LeedsLeeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
' 15-11 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
in the 1975–76 Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
final, and in the 16-12 victory over Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century...
in the 1976–77 Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final.
Club career
Chris Sanderson's Leeds début came against HalifaxHalifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
on 8 September 1971, and he played in the 1974–75 Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
matches against Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
and Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, and the semi-final defeat to Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. During a match against Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
at the Willows on 22 April 1977, Chris Sanderson collapsed following a tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, he died later that day at a nearby hospital.
Testimonial match
Leeds' 1976–77 Challenge CupChallenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
victory was dedicated to Chris Sanderson, and his wife Sally's first guest invited in to the Leeds dressing room. Chris Sanderson's testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
at Leeds on the 12 May 1977, was attended by 11,000 people and raised £7,000 for his family (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £54,500 in 2009).