Alan Lee (footballer)
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1978)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alan Lee
| image = Alan Lee.png
| caption = Lee playing for Ipswich Town in 2007
| fullname = Alan Desmond Lee{{cite book| last = Hugman| first = Barry J.| title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005| publisher = Queen Anne Press| year = 2005| page = 364| isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|8|21|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Aston Villa Player Database |url=http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/783.html |website=www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com |access-date=28 October 2022}}
| birth_place = Galway, Ireland
| position = Forward
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1994–1995| youthclubs1 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 1995–1999| clubs1 = Aston Villa| caps1 = 0| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1998–1999| clubs2 = → Torquay United (loan)| caps2 = 7| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 1999| clubs3 = → Port Vale (loan)| caps3 = 11| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 1999–2000| clubs4 = Burnley| caps4 = 15| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2000–2003| clubs5 = Rotherham United| caps5 = 111| goals5 = 37
| years6 = 2003–2006| clubs6 = Cardiff City| caps6 = 86| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2006–2008| clubs7 = Ipswich Town| caps7 = 103| goals7 = 31
| years8 = 2008–2010| clubs8 = Crystal Palace| caps8 = 61|goals8 = 10
| years9 = 2009| clubs9 = → Norwich City (loan)| caps9 = 7| goals9= 2
| years10 = 2010–2013| clubs10 = Huddersfield Town| caps10 = 80| goals10 = 9
| years11 = 2013–2014 | clubs11 = Ipswich Town| caps11 = 0| goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 481| totalgoals = 102
| nationalyears1 = 1997–1998| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U21| nationalcaps1 = 5| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2003–2006| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland| nationalcaps2 = 10| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Alan Desmond Lee (born 21 August 1978) is an Irish former footballer who played as a striker. He scored 119 goals in 547 appearances in a 19-year professional career in the Football League and won 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
He started his career with Aston Villa, also playing on loan at Torquay United and Port Vale. Following a season with Burnley, he signed with Rotherham United in 2000. He is considered something of a cult hero at the club,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/3656894.stm|title=Rotherham's cult heroes |date=16 September 2004|work=Football Focus|access-date=25 May 2009}} after helping the "Millers" to win promotion out of the Second Division in 2000–01. He was bought by Cardiff City and made almost 100 appearances for the Welsh side between 2003 and 2006. Then purchased by Ipswich Town, he made over 100 appearances for the club before earning a big money move to Crystal Palace. After returning from a loan spell at Norwich City, he wrote himself into the club's folklore by scoring in the final game of the 2009–10 season against Sheffield Wednesday, saving the Eagles from relegation and ultimately administration. Following these heroics, he moved on to Huddersfield Town and helped the "Terriers" to win promotion out of League One in 2012. He announced his retirement in 2014, having spent his final season as a player-coach at Ipswich Town.
Club career
=Aston Villa=
Born in Galway, County Galway, Ireland, Lee began his career as a trainee with Aston Villa before turning professional in August 1995.{{cite web|title=Aston Villa Player Database|url=http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/783.html|website=astonvillaplayerdatabase.com|access-date=18 October 2016}} However, he never made his first-team debut at Villa Park. He joined Torquay United on loan on 27 November 1998 and made his debut the following day in the Third Division in a 3–1 defeat to Barnet at Underhill; he replaced Tony Bedeau as a substitute at half-time. He made his full debut at Plainmoor on 12 December in a 2–0 win over Hull City. He scored his first league goal on boxing day, which secured a 1–1 draw with Exeter City at St James Park. He also scored against Southend United and Fulham to take his tally for Wes Saunders's "Gulls" up to three goals in nine appearances.
On 2 March 1999, he joined Brian Horton's Port Vale on a two-month loan. Making 11 appearances, he scored in draws with Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers, helping the "Valiants" to avoid relegation out of the First Division on goal difference.
=Burnley=
He left Villa in July 1999 when Burnley manager Stan Ternent signed him for a £150,000 fee. He scored once for Burnley; in a 2–1 Football League Trophy defeat at Wigan Athletic.{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6100452.teenagers-golden-moment-sinks-clarets/|title=Teenager's golden moment sinks Clarets|publisher=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk |date=7 December 1999 |access-date=6 May 2021}} He played 15 league games as the "Clarets" won promotion out of the Second Division as runners-up in 1999–2000. Though a successful season for the club, Lee never had an extended first-team run at Turf Moor, and only had two league starts as Andy Payton and Andy Cooke formed an effective partnership up front.
=Rotherham United=
Lee moved to Rotherham United for £150,000 in November 2000 after a short loan spell. In his first season at the club, 2000–01, he scored 15 goals in 35 games as Ronnie Moore's "Millers" won promotion out of the Second Division as runners-up. Lee scored the late winner against Brentford which sealed promotion.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1297958.stm|title=Rotherham 2-1 Brentford|publisher=BBC |date=27 April 2001 |access-date=6 May 2021}} He remained a key fixture at Millmoor in the First Division, scoring ten goals in 41 games in 2001–02, and finding the net 16 times in 44 appearances in 2002–03.
=Cardiff City=
He was sold to Cardiff City in August 2003 for a fee of £850,000, just days after impressing Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence in a goalless draw on the opening day of the season. Rotherham's manager Ronnie Moore prophesied that "Alan Lee can and will do better than Cardiff".{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/3138173.stm|title=Lee hawks wares to Bluebirds|date=10 August 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} However, Lee found himself struggling with injuries at Ninian Park and largely out of first-team contention.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/4260638.stm|title=Lee urged to take Cardiff chance |date=19 September 2005|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} He scored three goals in only 24 games in 2003–04, though he managed seven goals in 43 appearances in 2004–05. However, he was restricted to just two goals in 25 Championship games in 2005–06.
=Ipswich Town=
In January 2006 joined Ipswich Town for £100,000.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/4588124.stm|title=Ipswich sign Cardiff striker Lee |date=10 January 2006|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} He scored his second career hat-trick in a 5–0 win against Luton Town on 29 October 2006. He ended the 2006–07 campaign with 17 goals in 44 games, including a header that relegated Leeds United on the last day of that season.{{cite news|title=Leeds 1-1 Ipswich|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6578803.stm|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2007}} He penned a new deal with the club in August 2007.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/6930242.stm|title=Striker Lee pens new Ipswich deal |date=8 August 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} In January 2008 there was speculation of a move back to Burnley for £900,000 but the Ipswich chairman{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/7199883.stm|title=Ipswich to get Quinn as Lee stays |date=21 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} and Lee himself denied these rumours. He completed his season with a tally of 12 goals, including the winner in Ipswich's 1–0 win against Hull City on the final day of the season.
=Crystal Palace=
On 30 August 2008, Lee moved again, leaving Ipswich for Crystal Palace for a fee of around £640,000.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/7585824.stm|title=Palace land Ipswich frontman Lee |date=30 August 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} He signed a three-year contract with the club, saying that "I jumped at the chance to go an play for Neil Warnock".{{cite news |title=Eagles snap up Lee |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4035&page=1&highlight=Alan%20Lee&keyword=Alan%20Lee&dayfrom=01&monthfrom=01&yearfrom=2000&dayto=31&monthto=12&yearto=2022&search=1 |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Holmesdale Online |date=30 August 2008}}{{cite news |title=Lee to fire up Palace |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4044&page=1&highlight=Alan%20Lee&keyword=Alan%20Lee&dayfrom=01&monthfrom=01&yearfrom=2000&dayto=31&monthto=12&yearto=2022&search=1 |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Holmesdale Online |date=8 September 2008}} In March 2009, he moved out on loan to Norwich City,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/7952606.stm|title=Norwich sign Palace's Lee on loan |date=19 March 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} his spell lasting for the rest of the season.{{cite news |title=Lee leaves for Canaries |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4306&page=1&highlight=Alan%20Lee&keyword=Alan%20Lee&dayfrom=01&monthfrom=01&yearfrom=2000&dayto=31&monthto=12&yearto=2022&search=1 |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Holmesdale Online |date=19 March 2009}} Norwich went close to signing Lee permanently six years previously, but lost out to Cardiff.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/3126875.stm|title=Norwich keen on Lee|date=5 August 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} His performances at Norwich earned him public praise from captain Gary Doherty.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/7998475.stm|title=Doherty hails 'hard working' Lee |date=14 April 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090417131256/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/7998475.stm| archive-date= 17 April 2009 | url-status= live}} In the summer he came close to a move to Barnsley, but the two clubs could not reach a deal.{{cite news |title=Warnock hails scorer Lee |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4472&page=1&highlight=Alan%20Lee&keyword=Alan%20Lee&dayfrom=01&monthfrom=01&yearfrom=2000&dayto=31&monthto=12&yearto=2022&search=1 |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Holmesdale Online |date=1 September 2009}}
After returning to Selhurst Park, Lee became a fan's favourite and a cult hero due to the tremendous effort he displayed throughout his second season at Palace, culminating in him scoring a bullet header in Palace's 2–2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on the last day of the season, saving Palace from relegation. However, he fell down the pecking order following the arrivals of Pablo Counago and Jon Obika.{{cite news |title=Lee departs for Huddersfield |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4863&page=1&highlight=Alan%20Lee&keyword=Alan%20Lee&dayfrom=01&monthfrom=01&yearfrom=2000&dayto=31&monthto=12&yearto=2022&search=1 |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Holmesdale Online |date=25 August 2010}}
=Huddersfield Town=
In August 2010, Lee transferred to Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee, which was later reported to be £350,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11740_6335385,00.html |title=Terriers tie up Lee deal |date=25 August 2010 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827210606/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C11740_6335385%2C00.html |archive-date=27 August 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Alan Lee |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=111&player=152 |website=Holmesdale Online |access-date=29 October 2022}} He made his debut for the Terriers in a 3–1 win over Charlton Athletic at the Galpharm Stadium on 28 August 2010. He quickly established a reputation cult hero with the Huddersfield supporters.{{cite web |url=http://www.htafc.net/2011/09/24/huddersfield-town-v-leyton-orient-match-report/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426072014/http://www.htafc.net/2011/09/24/huddersfield-town-v-leyton-orient-match-report/ |archive-date=26 April 2012 |title=Huddersfield Town v Leyton Orient Match Report |publisher= htafc.net |date=24 September 2011 |access-date=19 October 2013}} On 30 October he was sent off in a league match against Walsall at the Galpharm, where Town won 1–0. On 30 January 2011, he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in an FA Cup Fourth Round 2–1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. He added to his tally with a brace against Carlisle United in the Football League Trophy, though he remained goalless throughout 28 league games. He was a late substitute in the club's play-off final defeat to Peterborough United at Old Trafford.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/13489373.stm|title=Huddersfield 0 - 3 Peterborough|last=Begley|first=Emlyn|date=29 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 August 2011}}
Lee scored his first league goals for the "Terriers" during a 3–0 win over Wycombe Wanderers on 27 August 2011. The first goal came from his first touch of the game 40 seconds after making it onto the pitch as a second-half substitute before he finished the game with a brace.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14600605.stm|title=Huddersfield 3 - 0 Wycombe|date=27 August 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 August 2011}} He finished the 2011–12 campaign with seven goals in 38 games and was an extra time substitute in the play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium, though missed his penalty in the shoot-out.{{cite news|last=Begley|first=Emlyn|title=Huddersfield have been promoted after Sheffield United keeper Steve Simonsen missed the decisive penalty in an epic League One play-off final shoot-out.|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18127853|access-date=28 May 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2012}}
Lee scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season in a 3–2 home defeat by Watford after replacing newly signed emergency loanee Jermaine Beckford.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 2 - 3 Watford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19684243|access-date=29 September 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2012}} After a 1–0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell on 10 November, Lee said that "[the fans] are so supportive of me it just melts my heart."{{cite news|title=Huddersfield Town fans melt my heart: Alan Lee|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-fans-melt-heart-4938814|access-date=19 October 2013|newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|date=12 November 2012}} At the end of the season, it was announced that he was to be released along with Scott Arfield and Tom Clarke.
=Return to Ipswich Town=
Lee returned to Ipswich Town in July 2013 as part of the club's academy staff and later began training with the first team after Mick McCarthy considered handing him a first-team contract.{{cite web|title=Alan Lee Joins Academy Staff|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/23211/alan-lee-joins-academy-staff|work=twtd.co.uk|access-date=30 August 2013}} He re-signed as a player on non-contract terms on 30 August, allowing him to play in the club's first-team whilst retaining his academy coaching position.{{Cite web | url = http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/alan_lee_signs_for_ipswich_town_on_non_contract_terms_1_2359387 | work = East Anglian Daily Times | title = Alan Lee signs for Ipswich Town on non-contract terms | first=Chris | last = Brammar | date = 29 August 2013 | access-date = 30 August 2013}} He made an appearance in the FA Cup, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Preston North End on 14 January.{{cite news|title=Preston 3 - 2 Ipswich|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25633389|access-date=20 January 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=14 January 2014}} He remained registered as a player for the 2014–15 season if his services as a player would be required due to an injury crisis.{{cite web|title=Lee Will Be Registered for New Season|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/25189/|work=twtd.co.uk|access-date=8 May 2014}} He was forced to retire due to injury in July 2014, having undergone knee surgery over the summer.{{cite web|title=Striker Lee Retires|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/25489/striker-lee-retires|website=twtd.co.uk|access-date=5 August 2014}}
International career
Lee represented the Republic of Ireland internationally and earned five caps for the Irish under-21 side. However, many feel he was overlooked by the national team during his time at Rotherham, when he scored 37 league goals over three seasons.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rotherham_utd/2492859.stm|title=Moore backs Lee|date=19 November 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}} He was though utilised for his country whilst with Cardiff making ten appearances for the Republic of Ireland between 2003 and 2006.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/3189863.stm|title=Reid and Carsley back for Irish|date=28 August 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2009}}
Coaching career
In July 2013, Lee began coaching at Ipswich Town's academy.{{cite news|title=Alan Lee Joins Academy Staff|url=http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/23211/alan-lee-joins-academy-staff|access-date=30 July 2013|newspaper=twtd.co.uk|date=17 July 2013}} In May 2018, he also began working as the head of Culford School's new football programme.{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Mike |title=ITFC Academy coach Alan Lee looking forward to Culford challenge |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/new-challenge-for-alan-lee-1-5537042 |access-date=18 June 2020 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=29 May 2018 |language=en}} By the end of the year he had left his role at Ipswich Town to coach at Bury Town.{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Mike |title='It's a perfect fit', says former Ipswich Town striker Alan Lee, as he links up with Bury Town |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/a-perfect-fit-says-alan-lee-1-5824648 |access-date=18 June 2020 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=19 December 2018 |language=en}}
Style of play
The Rotherham United website stated that Lee was a "strong and very quick striker... with no mean skill."{{cite web|title=Past Players |url=http://origin-www.themillers.co.uk/page/PastPlayers/0,,10360,00.html |work=themillers.co.uk |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000802203608/http://www.themillers.co.uk/staticFiles/87/1b/0%2C%2C10360~7047%2C00.doc |archive-date= 2 August 2000 }} He said that he preferred playing as a lone striker, though was comfortable with any type of partner.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{notelist}}
=International=
:Source:{{NFT player|pid=3271|accessdate=10 July 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | Republic of Ireland national team | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| Total||10||0 |
Honours
Burnley
- Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1999–2000
Rotherham United
- Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 2000–01
Huddersfield Town
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Alan Lee (footballer)}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Alan}}
Category:Association footballers from Galway (city)
Category:Association footballers from County Galway
Category:Sportspeople from Galway (city)
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Torquay United F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players