Stuart Spruce
Encyclopedia
Stuart Spruce was a for Widnes/Widnes Vikings
, and from 1996 to 2001 the Bradford Bulls
.
during the 1989-90 season, under coach Doug Laughton
. When regular fullback Alan Tait
quit for Leeds
, Spruce became the permanent fullback.
final. 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."
comeback for his hometown club Widnes when they won promotion and joined the competition in 2002.
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, and from 1996 to 2001 the Bradford Bulls
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....
.
Widnes
Stuart Spruce made his debut for WidnesWidnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
during the 1989-90 season, under coach Doug Laughton
Doug Laughton
C. Doug Laughton is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. He played club football as a , or / for St. Helens, Wigan, Widnes and Canterbury Bulldogs...
. When regular fullback Alan Tait
Alan Tait
Alan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions...
quit for 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...
, Spruce became the permanent fullback.
Bradford Bulls
Spruce played for Bradford until the week before the 2001 Rugby League 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....
final. He became known as a good defensive player and an excellent offense. James Lowes
James Lowes
James Lowes is a British former rugby league player and assistant coach for the Leeds Rhinos. He played for Hunslet Hawks and Leeds Rhinos, but his best years were with the Bradford Bulls, where he won many trophies...
, 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."
International honours
Stuart Spruce won caps for England while at Widnes in 1992 against Wales, while at Bradford Bulls in 2000 against Russia (sub), and Fiji, and won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1993 against France, and while at Bradford in 1996 against Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand (3 matches).Retirement
Stuart was at the forefront of the Bulls' success for five years before injury forced his retirement. However, his remarkable resilience saw him make a Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
comeback for his hometown club Widnes when they won promotion and joined the competition in 2002.