I was privileged to be seated next to him at an ex player's dinner many years ago. At the ex player's dinner they give an annual award to one of their number. That particular year Mick was the recipient. His was truly humble but the reception he got from all those great player's in the room that night was very touching.

Sadly, I am too young to have seen him play.

He was the greatest to me, as well, and always will be.

1 May 1971 is etched on my brain as the darkest day in Leeds' history because it robbed us of the greatest player I've seen in blue and amber.

(I acknowledge and have no wish to minimise Chris Sanderson's death at Salford six years later but Shoey's immediate retirement and subsequent ill health affected everyone who had anything to do with Leeds).

12 months before his 'accident' (2 May 1970) Shoey scored 4 tries as Leeds defeated Hull KR 47-5 in a Championship semi-final at Headingley. On that day he was simply unplayable.

He then went on the Lions tour - one of three stand-offs alongside Roger Millward and Alan Hardisty (imagine that sort of choice now ?) - and switched to full-back for the deciding test which GB won 21-17 in Sydney. The footage of his long run to set up a try for John Atkinson is priceless.

Mick Shoebottom had every attribute and was the ultimate warrior. He was versatile enough to represent GB at stand-off, scrum-half, centre and full-back, would have prolonged his career as a loose-forward, never took a backward step, tackled way above his weight, feared nothing and was the heartbeat of a great Leeds team, loved by team-mates and supporters alike. What a loss !

you've explained a lot there.In the 80s early 90s on our way to away games we used to stop in hunslet to pick up amate who lived round there,and we used to go in The Red Lion[think thats the name]and Mick used to come in and sit alone in a corner very quiet,we all used to show respect acknowledging him saying "alright Mick, ow do Mick"but we did'nt force our way onto him.I remember seeing him smile as we were having fun,and taking the p1$$ out of each other,I have heard when he was healthy he was the most mischievous lad,so tragic!.I also attended they day they buried his ashes at Headingley,all the great player's of his era were there,including the successful 1970 lions capt Frank Myler,and of course his brother who was in a wheel chair,I remember Alan Smith spending a lot of time with Micks Brother at the ceremony.RIP MICK you were the greatest and a true lionheart

I agree with you. I never forgave Dixon because even if it was not deliberate, you just do not kick out at someone diving head first for the line in the hope you connect with the ball.

Wasn't it also Salford you were playing when the other lad sadly died in the early 70's?

yes it was 1977

Yes away at Salford. Chris Sanderson signed from York colts u17`s the previous year IIRC

Chris was a half-back from York, signed from Heworth, IIRC.

But he'd been at Leeds six years having made his debut at Halifax in 1971.

thanks I thought that was the case,cheers

at my age the memory does funny things !!

Sanderson signed in 1971

Not wanting to dig up old muck but I have it in my mind that Sanderson's tragedy was also due to foul play. Would be pleased if proved wrong.

No ,not the case at all IIRC just went into a tackle awkwardly

There was no foul play involved in the incident at the Willows on the 24th April 1977. It was an unfortunate accident as Chris Sanderson attempted a smother tackle on Ken Gill. Chris was knocked unconcious after an accidental clash of heads.

The inquest verdict was one of misadventure.

Linking the tragedy back to Mick Shoebottom, the Salford player-coach was Colin Dixon.

Thanks for clearing that up - I had the 2 incidents mixed up.

the fact that a relative youngster like me has the knowledge of how much the name "mick shoebottom" means to the leeds club says it all for me
rip mick