Leon Pryce (born 9 October 1981 in Bradford) is an English professional rugby league footballer of Jamaican descent[1] for the St Helens RLFC club of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative backline player, he previously played for Bradford Bulls with whom he had Challenge Cup and Super League Championship success.
Pryce comes from a family of rugby league players; he is the older brother of Wigan Warriors player Karl Pryce, his father and uncle both played the sport at a high level. His cousin Steve has coached in Jamaica[2][3] and he is also the cousin of Featherstone Rovers player Waine Pryce.
[edit] Bradford Bulls
At age 16, Pryce captained the England schools side. Pryce came through the academy ranks at the Bradford Bulls, after the club signed him from amateur side Queensbury in Bradford. He went on to feature in five Super League Grand Finals for the Bulls, in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005; the latter of which he gained the Harry Sunderland Award for a Man of the Match performance. He was on the winning side in three of these finals- against Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors twice, losing against future club St Helens twice.
Pryce's versatile brand of football has enabled him to be used as a utility at Bradford when not needed at his usual post, on the wing. His quick pace and unpredictability made him a success at Bradford.[original research?]
[edit] England
He made his full debut for England against France in 1999, and has also represented his home county of Yorkshire.
He was named in the disastrous England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[4]
[edit] St Helens
In 2006, Pryce joined St Helens RLFC, after Bradford Bulls did not renew his contract in 2005. One of the key issues in the decision was that he would start at stand off, a position Pryce has long coveted.[citation needed]
Pryce won his first trophy with St Helens in August 2006, defeating Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium. He went on that year to win the 2006 Super League Grand Final in a 26-4 success over Hull FC.
He went on to win the Challenge Cup again in 2007 when Saints beat Catalans Dragons 30-8 at Wembley Stadium. He was a joint winner of the Lance Todd Trophy along with Paul Wellens.
In 2007, Pryce was voted rugby league's dirtiest player by RL Weekly readers.[citation needed]
His success at the club continued as he helped Saints to a 26-18 win over Hull in the 2008 Challenge Cup Final.
He was named in the Super League Dream Team for the 2008 season.[5]
He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.[6]
[edit] Controversies
[edit] "Squeezing" controversy
In July 2007, Pryce was accused of squeezing Sam Burgess's testicles. [7] He was later found guilty of the incident and banned for three matches.[8] He was again found guilty of a similar misconduct, against Bradford forward Andy Lynch on 22 February 2008. However, he escaped a possible eight-match ban as the disciplinary panel ruled the contact "minimal".[9]
Pryce escaped a custodial sentence for unlawful wounding, after assaulting a Bradford man. He received 120 hours community service.
In 2008 Pryce was charged along with Stuart Reardon and appeared in court on charges of assault and violence following an alleged incident at Reardon's estranged wife's house in Queensbury, Bradford. They were charged with using violence to gain entry and common assault. The charge of using violence to gain entry against both defendants was dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence.[10] In March 2009, having been found guilty of common assault, the pair were given a 12-week suspended sentence.
On 23rd of March 2009 it was announced that the Parramatta Eels were interested in starting talks with the English international. The very next day the Eels offered Pryce a 3-year contract to play in the NRL starting in 2010 but are awaiting a response from Pryce and his manager.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
