Born in
Lichfield,
Staffordshire, Leadbitter was a successful grasstrack racer before taking up speedway in 1966 at the training school at
Long Eaton. After a single match for
Glasgow Tigers in 1966 he rode in four matches for
Long Eaton Archers in 1967. In 1968 he was signed by newly formed
Leicester Lions, but only made one appearance for the team that season, spending most of it on loan to
Middlesbrough Teessiders. Leadbitter represented England against the Soviet Union in 1974, and represented Young England against Scotland in 1975. He also rode in grasstrack events in
France and
Germany. ==References==