Bull Masters - Stuart Spruce
Stuart Spruce made his debut for Widnes as long ago as the 1989-90 season. Doug Laughton was the Coach and he had assembled the finest side in the history of the club. Players from all over the world were bought to Cheshire and the club was enjoying a period of unlimited success. Alan Tait was the regular Full Back and when he quit for Leeds Stuart made the spot his own.
The arrival at Bradford of Brian Smith coincided with the decline in Widnes' fortunes. Widnes needed to sell and several clubs including Leeds were chasing the Widnes born player. Smith used the money from the sale of Paul Newlove wisely and Spruce became a Bull.
From his debut against Leeds until, what sadly turned out to be his last game for the club at Hull the week before the 2001 Challenge Cup final, Stuart displayed the ultra professionalism that was the hallmark of his play. As a last line of defence he was outstanding but with the ball in his hands he was lethal.
James Lowes, who played with him throughout his time at the club paid this tribute: "Stuart has been on of the best Full Backs of his generation. He is a great talker on the field and a devastating runner."
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 League comeback for his hometown club Widnes when they won promotion and joined the competition in 2002.