Lee Novak

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, Novak grew up supporting Newcastle United.{{cite news|title=Novak eager for Terriers victory|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/8205676.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 August 2009}} He played for Wallsend Boys Club, a well respected youth side.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield Town: Lee Novak interview|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/huddersfield-town-lee-novak-interview-1-2241556|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|location=Leeds|date=15 March 2010}} Novak started his senior career with Scottish side Gretna, before returning to Newcastle to play in the Northern Premier League for Newcastle Blue Star in August 2007, alongside former Gretna teammates Daniel Lowson, Darren Casson and David Nicholls.{{cite news|last=Pratt|first=Malcolm|title=New ball game for Star|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+New+ball+game+for+Star%3b+UNIBOND+LEAGUE+Division+One+North.-a0167692105|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=17 August 2007}} He scored a hat-trick for Blue Star in a game against Ossett Albion.{{cite news|last=Bowron|first=Jeff|title=No way back as Novak attacks!|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/No+way+back+as+Novak+attacks!+BLUE+SQUARE+NORTH.-a0188322744|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|access-date=19 May 2013}} Whilst with Blue Star he had unsuccessful trials with Stockport County and Preston North End.{{cite news|title=Blue Star hit back on Lee Novak|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blue-star-hit-back-lee-1449224|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=6 February 2009}} He was transfer-listed by his own request in July 2008 after scoring 27 goals in the 2007–08 season.{{cite news|last=Pratt|first=Malcolm|title=Star struck by blow as Novak is listed|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Star+struck+by+blow+as+Novak+is+listed.-a0180853155|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=2 July 2008}} He considered moving to Australia, before he was eventually signed by Conference North side Gateshead for £3,500 plus another player (a 10% sell-on clause was also inserted).

Novak impressed for Ian Bogie's Gateshead, notably scoring four first-half goals in a 5–2 win over Hyde United at Ewen Fields on 1 November, which included a record breaking three-minute hat-trick.{{cite web|title=Novak record as Gateshead tame Tigers|url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2077/hyde-united-2-5-gateshead|publisher=Gateshead F.C.|access-date=19 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814073828/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2077/hyde-united-2-5-gateshead|archive-date=14 August 2012}} Eighteen days later he claimed another hat-trick in a 3–2 victory over King's Lynn at the Gateshead International Stadium.{{cite web|title=Gateshead 3–2 Kings Lynn|url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2094/gateshead-3-2-kings-lynn|publisher=Gateshead F.C.|access-date=19 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814073847/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2094/gateshead-3-2-kings-lynn|archive-date=14 August 2012}} He was named as the Conference North player of the month in November 2008.{{cite news|title=Burton's Buxton claims accolade|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7760745.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 December 2008|access-date=22 July 2016}} Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark signed Novak in January 2009 after Novak had scored 17 goals in 21 games for Gateshead in the first part of the 2008–09 season; the deal was an initial £50,000, which would rise by another £100,000 if he met appearance targets at Huddersfield.{{cite news|last=Bowron|first=Jeff|title=Gateshead's delight as hitman Novak makes all the Huddlines|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Gateshead%27s+delight+as+hitman+Novak+makes+all+the+Huddlines.-a0193033899|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=3 February 2009}}{{cite news|date=4 February 2010 |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2615/media-watch-gateshead-receive-terriers-transfer-boost |title=Media watch – Gateshead receive Terriers transfer boost |publisher=Gateshead F.C. |access-date=22 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207035545/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2615/media-watch-gateshead-receive-terriers-transfer-boost |archive-date= 7 February 2010 }} As part of the deal, he returned to Gateshead on loan until the end of the season. Novak agreed to join Huddersfield after resisting numerous approaches by Scunthorpe United manager Nigel Adkins, who made a bid of £90,000.{{cite news|title=Iron still keen on signing Novak|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/7850376.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2009}}{{cite news|title=Chase for Novak hots up|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Chase+for+Novak+hots+up.-a0192632606|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=27 January 2009}}

Novak made a further 17 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and helped Gateshead to the Conference North play-off final. Novak played in the final as winger Wayne Phillips scored the only goal in the 1–0 win over AFC Telford United to promote Gateshead to the Conference Premier.{{cite news|title=Gateshead 1–0 AFC Telford Utd|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8038382.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2009|access-date=22 July 2016}} Novak finished the season as top-scorer in the Conference North with 26 league goals. At the end of the season he was voted the club's Player of the Year.{{cite news|title=Golden boy Lee Novak scores with top awards|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/golden-boy-lee-novak-scores-1453514|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|date=28 April 2009|access-date=22 July 2016}}

In July 2009, he gained media attention after being involved with a punch-up with Fabricio Coloccini in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United.{{cite news | date=23 July 2009 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8166125.stm | title=FA to look into brawl at friendly | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date =8 December 2009}} The fight occurred at the end of a what was described as a "feisty game" that Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said demonstrated the "competitiveness" of both sides.{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Steve|title=Newcastle friendly at Huddersfield turns ugly as Lee Novak clashes with Fabricio Coloccini|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/5887391/Newcastle-friendly-at-Huddersfield-turns-ugly-as-Lee-Novak-clashes-with-Fabricio-Coloccini.html|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=22 July 2009}} He made his debut for Huddersfield as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Southend United at Roots Hall on 8 August 2009, where he set up the equalising goal.{{cite news | date=8 August 2009 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8186291.stm | title=Southend 2–2 Huddersfield | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date =8 August 2009}} He made his first competitive start three days later in a 3–1 win over Stockport County in the League Cup.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 3–1 Stockport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8188028.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2009}} On 18 August, he scored his first goal (a penalty) for the "Terriers", in a 7–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8205231.stm|title=Huddersfield 7–1 Brighton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2009|access-date=21 August 2009}} He secured a regular place in the starting 11 alongside Jordan Rhodes. He scored in four consecutive League One games from 24 November to 12 December, claiming goals against Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, Leeds United, and Gillingham.{{cite news|title=Swindon 2–1 Huddersfield|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8362941.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 November 2009}}{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 3–3 Tranmere|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8377317.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 December 2009}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/leagueone/leeds/6736854/Leeds-United-2-Huddersfield-Town-2-match-report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208111606/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/leagueone/leeds/6736854/Leeds-United-2-Huddersfield-Town-2-match-report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2009|title=Leeds United 2 Huddersfield Town 2: match report | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|first=Will|last=Swanson|date=5 December 2009}}{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 2–1 Gillingham|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8398133.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 December 2009}} He suffered a knee injury during a game against Norwich City on 13 March, forcing him to miss Huddersfield's next five games.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 1–3 Norwich|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8547613.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 March 2010}} Novak returned to action with three stoppage time goals in four appearances off the bench including the winning goal against Walsall, a penalty during stoppage time in a 6–0 away win over Stockport County, and a last minute winner over Colchester United in a 2–1 win on 1 May, the last game of the season at the Galpharm Stadium.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 4–3 Walsall|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8605999.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 April 2010}}{{cite news|title=Stockport 0–6 Huddersfield|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8620745.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 April 2010}}{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 2–1 Colchester|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8629896.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 May 2010}} Novak finished the season with 12 league goals in 38 league games as Huddersfield reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Millwall.{{cite news|last=Ashdown|first=John|title=Millwall sink Huddersfield to seal final showdown with Swindon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/18/millwall-huddesfield-league-one-play-off|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=18 May 2010}} He was the club's third top-scorer with 14 goals in all competitions, behind Jordan Rhodes (23) and Theo Robinson (16). At the end of the season he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until summer 2013.{{cite news|title=Lee Novak pens Huddersfield Town contract extension|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/8786818.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2010}}

He missed the midpoint of the 2010–11 season with a torn hamstring.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield Town sign Arsenal striker Benik Afobe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/9151783.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2010}} He was limited to five goals in 15 starts and 24 substitute appearances, and played both legs of the play-off semi-final victory over Bournemouth, converting his penalty in the shoot-out victory.{{cite news|last=Ashdown|first=John|title=Huddersfield beat Bournemouth on penalties to reach League One play-off final|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/18/huddersfield-bournemouth-penalties-match-report|access-date=19 May 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=18 May 2011}} He was an unused substitute in the play-off final defeat to Peterborough United at Old Trafford; Benik Afobe started the game, whilst strikers Danny Cadamarteri, Jordan Rhodes and Alan Lee all featured as substitutes.{{cite news|title=Huddersfield 0–3 Peterborough|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13489373|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 May 2011}}

Novak had a full pre-season with no injury problems going into the 2011–12 season. He made his first start of the season in the League Cup First Round 4–2 win over Port Vale at Vale Park on 9 August, scoring twice to help the "Terriers" progress into the next round.{{cite news|title=Port Vale 2–4 Huddersfield|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/14368459.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2011}} Keeping his first team place under the transition of managers from Lee Clark to Simon Grayson, he scored a total of 17 goals in 49 appearances throughout the campaign, and started the play-off final victory over Sheffield United, before being substituted shortly before the penalty shoot-out.{{cite news|first=Emlyn|last=Begley|title=Huddersfield promoted after epic shoot-out win over Sheffield United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18127853|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2012|access-date=22 July 2016}}

After promotion to the Championship, Novak struggled for form, but did make some telling contributions in the 2012–13 campaign, particularly in the final two games against Bristol City and Barnsley, which helped the club to avoid relegation.{{cite news|title=Bristol City 1–3 Huddersfield|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22229065|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 April 2013}} He left the club when his contract expired at the end of June 2013, after rejecting a new deal that had been on the table since October 2012.{{cite news|title=Lee Novak set for Huddersfield Town exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22556415|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2013}}

File:Lee Novak 2014-02-15 1.jpg in 2014]]

In May 2013, Novak agreed a deal to join Birmingham City to reunite himself with his former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22615073 | title=Birmingham sign Huddersfield Town striker | publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2013 |access-date=23 May 2013}} He scored his first goal in Birmingham colours in a 4–0 defeat of Shamrock Rovers while on pre-season tour in Ireland,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20130708-the-report-shamrock-rovers-0-blues-4-901935.aspx |title=The Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 Blues 4 |author=Walker, Andy |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712215324/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20130708-the-report-shamrock-rovers-0-blues-4-901935.aspx |archive-date=12 July 2013 }} and made his competitive debut in a 1–0 defeat at home to Watford on the opening day of the season. Novak was retrospectively awarded his first league goal after being adjudged to have got the last touch on a Nikola Žigić header in a 2–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.{{cite web |title=Credit goes to Novak |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20131009-credit-goes-to-novak-1106398.aspx |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=9 October 2013 |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006175540/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20131009-credit-goes-to-novak-1106398.aspx |archive-date=6 October 2014}} He was released by Birmingham when his contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-wes-thomas-david-edgar-lee-novak-neal-eardley-3104800.aspx |title=Five players leave Blues |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=11 May 2016 |access-date=11 May 2016}}

Novak joined League One club Chesterfield on a season-long loan on 14 August 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/lee-novak-joins-on-season-long-loan-2618433.aspx |title=Spireites sign Championship striker |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |date=14 August 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015}} He ended his loan with 14 goals from 35 league appearances.

Novak joined League One club Charlton Athletic on a free transfer on 1 July 2016 after his contract at Birmingham City expired.{{cite web |url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/charlton-athletic-new-signing-lee-novak-3144867.aspx |title=Done deal: Charlton to sign striker Lee Novak |first=George |last=Jones |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=17 June 2013 |access-date=17 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811210019/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/charlton-athletic-new-signing-lee-novak-3144867.aspx |archive-date=11 August 2016 }} Novak scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Fleetwood Town on 10 September 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37263594|title=Fleetwood 2–2 Charlton|publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2016|access-date=19 September 2016}}

Novak joined another League One club, Scunthorpe United, on 31 August 2017 on a free transfer; he signed a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/scunthorpe-united-sign-striker-lee-409347 |title=Scunthorpe United sign striker Lee Novak on free transfer |first=Paul |last=Crute |newspaper=Scunthorpe Telegraph |date=31 August 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017}}

His contract was extended by Scunthorpe at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48309292|title=Josh Morris: Scunthorpe midfielder one of three released as Iron unveil retained list|date=17 May 2019|access-date=20 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}

Novak joined League Two club Bradford City on 31 January 2020 on an 18-month contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51330255 |title=Bradford City sign Lee Novak from Scunthorpe and Kurtis Guthrie from Stevenage |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020}}

In January 2021 Novak was announced as temporary team captain following injury to regular captain Richard O'Donnell.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18989685.novak-sees-benefits-bantams-since-clear-the-air-meeting/|title=Novak: Why it was important for Bradford City to speak their minds|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}

On 12 May 2021 he was one of nine players that Bradford City announced would leave the club on 30 June 2021 when their contracts expire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/nine-bantams-to-depart/|title=NINE BANTAMS TO DEPART|website=bradfordcityfc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19296490.bradford-city-release-nine-players-contracts-expire/|title=City wave goodbye to nine – including long-serving defensive duo|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}

On signing Novak in January 2009, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark said that "he has good awareness and he brings other people into the game. He has a fantastic work ethic... having talked with him he is the type of character that wants to learn and become a better player."{{cite news|title=Terriers complete Novak signing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/7860809.stm|access-date=19 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2009}} Two years later, Clark said he had no problem with asking Novak to play in an unfamiliar role because "his attitude and application are always spot-on".{{cite news |title=Attitude and application make Novak so popular |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-boss-newcastle-united-4983530 |access-date=21 October 2013 |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|date=18 January 2011}} After joining Birmingham, Novak was used on the left wing, in support of a lone striker, as well as in his preferred central position.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

{{updated|match played 8 May 2020}}

{{notelist}}

Gateshead

• Conference North play-offs: 2009

Huddersfield Town

• Football League One play-offs: 2012

Individual

• Conference North Player of the Month: November 2008
• Gateshead Player of the Year: 2008–09

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Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Wallsend Boys Club players

Category:Gretna F.C. players

Category:Newcastle Blue Star F.C. players

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