Lee Peltier
{{Short description|British footballer (born 1986)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lee Peltier
| image = Peltier 2016.jpg
| caption = Peltier playing for Cardiff City in 2016
| fullname = Lee Anthony Peltier{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Cardiff City |publisher=English Football League |page=12 |access-date=17 June 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Toxteth, Liverpool, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3138/Lee-Peltier/overview |title=Lee Peltier: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=3 February 2019}}
| position = Right-back / Centre-back
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1997–2004
| youthclubs1 = Liverpool{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/1160|title=Player profile|website=LFCHistory.net|access-date=15 January 2019}}
| years1 = 2004–2008
| clubs1 = Liverpool
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2007
| clubs2 = → Hull City (loan)
| caps2 = 7
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007
| clubs3 = → Yeovil Town (loan)
| caps3 = 19
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2008–2009
| clubs4 = Yeovil Town
| caps4 = 50
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2009–2011
| clubs5 = Huddersfield Town
| caps5 = 80
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2011–2012
| clubs6 = Leicester City
| caps6 = 40
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2012–2014
| clubs7 = Leeds United
| caps7 = 66
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = → Nottingham Forest (loan)
| caps8 = 7
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014–2015
| clubs9 = Huddersfield Town
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2015–2020
| clubs10 = Cardiff City
| caps10 = 159
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2020–2021
| clubs11 = West Bromwich Albion
| caps11 = 4
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2021–2022
| clubs12 = Middlesbrough
| caps12 = 21
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2022–2024
| clubs13 = Rotherham United
| caps13 = 61
| goals13 = 3
| totalcaps = 525
| totalgoals = 8
| nationalyears1 = 2004
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2022
| managerclubs1 = Rotherham United (co-caretaker)
}}
Lee Anthony Peltier (born 11 December 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. While he played in positions in both defence and midfield, he was primarily deployed as a right-back or centre-back.
He started his career with his hometown club Liverpool, making his professional debut as a teenager in 2006. After loan spells with Hull City and Yeovil Town he signed for the latter on a permanent basis in 2008. In 2009, he joined Huddersfield Town, where he made over 100 appearances and reached the 2011 Football League One play-off final, before signing for Leicester City. A year later, he moved to Leeds United, where he was appointed club captain on arrival. He fell out of favour in his second season at the club and, after a brief loan spell with Nottingham Forest, he rejoined Huddersfield Town. In 2015, he signed for Cardiff City, where he made 163 appearances and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League after finishing as Championship runners-up during the 2017–18 season.
He is also a former England under-18 international, winning three caps in 2004.
Early life
Born in Toxteth, Liverpool,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/8290448/Arsenal-v-Huddersfield-Town-Liverpool-old-boy-Lee-Peltier-aims-to-put-pain-of-Anfield-humbling-behind-him.html |title=Arsenal v Huddersfield Town: Liverpool old boy Lee Peltier aims to put pain of Anfield humbling behind him |newspaper=The Telegraph |last=Chase |first=Graham |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=11 January 2019}} Peltier attended St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School and Campion High School in his hometown.{{cite web |url=http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/players_profiles/P/PeltierLA.php |title=Lee Peltier |website=ozwhitelufc.net |access-date=11 January 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/junior-sport/winning-finale-campion-bow-out-3508042 |title=Winning finale as Campion bow out |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=17 July 2007 |access-date=11 January 2019}} Peltier first attended football matches at Tranmere Rovers and later Liverpool after joining the club's academy.{{cite news |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/features/6394/football-firsts-cardiff-city-defender-lee-peltier/ |title=Football Firsts: Cardiff City defender Lee Peltier |newspaper=The Football League Paper |last=Ellis |first=Adam |date=26 October 2016 |access-date=11 January 2019}}
Club career
=Liverpool=
Peltier joined the Liverpool Academy in 1997 at the age of ten and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2004. Initially playing as a centre-back, he converted to right-back and also featured as a midfielder for the club's youth sides before settling into a full-back role after being promoted to the senior side.{{cite news |url=https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/roeder-checks-out-liverpool-defender-1-642487 |title=Roeder checks out Liverpool defender |newspaper=The Pink Un |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=11 January 2019}} In August 2006 he was named in the first-team squad, as an unused substitute for a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa.{{cite web|title=Liverpool 2 – 1 Maccabi Haifa|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/4991|website=lfchistory.net|access-date=25 March 2018}} He made his professional debut in a League Cup tie against Reading on 25 October 2006. Two months later, he made his Champions League debut for Liverpool against Galatasaray. With Liverpool already guaranteed to progress to the next round, he played the full 90 minutes at right-back as Liverpool lost 3–2.{{cite web|title=Galatasaray 3–2 Liverpool|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6201430.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 March 2018|date=5 December 2006}}
On 16 March 2007, Peltier was subject to an emergency loan cover agreement, and subsequently joined Championship side Hull City until the end of the season in order to gain first team experience.{{cite web|title=Hull bring in Liverpool youngster|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6458181.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 March 2007|access-date=16 March 2005}}{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/2408564/tigers-pick-up-peltier |title=Tigers pick up Peltier |publisher=Sky Sports News |last=O'Rourke |first=Peter |access-date=11 January 2019}} He made his debut in a 4–0 victory against Southend United and went on to make seven appearances for the club in the final two months of the 2006–07 season.
=Yeovil Town=
In order to gain further first team opportunities, manager Rafael Benítez loaned Peltier to League One club Yeovil Town on 31 July 2007 until 31 December.{{cite web|first=Peter|last=O'Rourke|title=Yeovil land Reds starlet|url=http://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11669/2632412/yeovil-land-reds-starlet|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=26 March 2018|date=31 July 2007}}{{cite news |url=https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/sport/1929987.time-is-ticking-for-yeovil-town/ |title=Time is ticking for Yeovil Town |newspaper=Yeovil Express |last=Sowden |first=Steve |date=28 December 2007 |access-date=12 January 2019}} Peltier agreed to join the club following encouragement from his mother. Eleven days later, he made his debut in a 1–0 defeat against Huddersfield Town. Although a right-back, Peltier played as a midfielder during an FA Cup match against Torquay United in November, but switched back to his original position for the club's following fixture against Gillingham a week later.{{cite news|title=Lee Peltier, Yeovil Town Steve Claridge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/nov/20/yeovil|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Claridge|first=Steve|access-date=26 March 2018|date=19 November 2007}} He made 21 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell without scoring.
On 21 January 2008, he joined Norwich City on trial, featuring in a reserve team fixture against Colchester United, but was not offered a contract by manager Glenn Roeder.{{cite web |url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/peltier.htm |title=Lee Peltier |publisher=Flown From The Nest |last=Whitlam |first=Steve |access-date=11 January 2019}} On 31 January 2008, he returned to Yeovil on a permanent basis for a minor fee, signing a three-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/sport/2010550.liverpool-youngster-returns-to-yeovil-town/ |title=Liverpool youngster returns to Yeovil Town |newspaper=Yeovil Express |last=Sowden |first=Steve |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=12 January 2019}} He ended the season having made 38 appearances in all competitions, including his original loan spell, and won the club's Young Player of the Year award.{{cite news |url=https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/sport/2237031.peltier-is-yeovil-towns-young-gun/ |title=Peltier is Yeovil Town's young gun! |newspaper=Yeovil Express |last=Sowden |first=Steve |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=12 January 2019}}
In his second season with Yeovil, Peltier made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring his only goal for the club in a 3–2 victory over Swindon Town on 20 December 2008. His performances attracted attention from several clubs and Yeovil assistant manager Nathan Jones confirmed that the club would not "stand in his way [...] if the price was right."{{cite news |url=https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/sport/4448847.peltier-could-leave-yeovil-town-if-the-price-is-right/ |title=Peltier could leave Yeovil Town if the "price is right" |newspaper=Yeovil Express |last=Sowden |first=Steve |date=19 June 2009 |access-date=14 January 2019}} Despite this, Peltier admitted to suffering from homesickness having moved away from Liverpool for the first time in his career,{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-towns-peltier-life-yeovil-5006541.amp |title=Huddersfield Town's Peltier on life at Yeovil Town |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=11 January 2019}} commenting "I was quite happy with my football but [...] I struggled a bit and got quite homesick."{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/huddersfield-town-lee-peltier-interview-1-2237295 |title=Huddersfield Town: Lee Peltier interview |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=18 January 2010 |access-date=11 January 2019}}
=Huddersfield Town=
==2009–10 season==
On 30 June 2009, he joined fellow League One side Huddersfield Town on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/sport/4466934.peltier-leaves-yeovil-town/ |title=Peltier leaves Yeovil Town |newspaper=Yeovil Express |last=Sowden |first=Steve |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=12 January 2019}} Peltier had previously impressed manager Lee Clark during his brief trial spell with Norwich, where Clark was serving as assistant manager. He made his debut in a 2–2 draw against Southend United at Roots Hall on 8 August 2009. He was switched from right-back to left-back for Huddersfield's game against Millwall due to the usual left-back Dean Heffernan suffering from a dead leg.{{cite web|url=http://www.htafc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10312~49009,00.html|title=Huddersfield vs Millwall|publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|date=16 April 2010|access-date=19 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419043538/http://www.htafc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10312~49009,00.html|archive-date=19 April 2010}} He was Huddersfield's first choice left-back keeping the position for the remainder of the regular season. Peltier helped the side to reach the play-offs in League One playing at left-back for the first leg at home to Millwall, but was forced to return to his usual position of right-back for the second leg at the New Den due to an injury to Tom Clarke in the first leg of the play-off semi final.{{cite web|url=http://www.htafc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10312~51464,00.html|title=Huddersfield vs Millwall|publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|date=15 May 2010|access-date=20 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520044317/http://www.htafc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10312~51464,00.html|archive-date=20 May 2010}}
Peltier was voted the Players' Player of the Season, in his first season with Huddersfield,{{cite news|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2010/05/04/lee-peltier-is-huddersfield-town-players-player-of-the-season-86081-26368480/|title=Lee Peltier is Huddersfield Town players' player of the season|first=Doug|last=Thomson|date=3 May 2010|newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|access-date=12 January 2019}} after making a total of 50 appearances in all competitions as Huddersfield finished sixth in the regular season before losing 2–0 to Millwall in the Play-Off semi-final second leg on 18 May 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/18/millwall-huddesfield-league-one-play-off |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |first=John |last=Ashdown |title=Millwall sink Huddersfield to seal final showdown with Swindon |date=18 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2010}} In July 2010, Peltier was linked with a £3 million pound move to Queens Park Rangers managed by Neil Warnock. However, in August 2010, he signed a new contract at Huddersfield to extending his deal until 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Imminent-Leicester-City-exit-Lee-Peltier-Profile/story-16643655-detail/story.html|title=Imminent Leicester City exit Lee Peltier: Profile |website=This is Leicestershire |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=3 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804171433/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Imminent-Leicester-City-exit-Lee-Peltier-Profile/story-16643655-detail/story.html |archive-date=4 August 2012}}
==2010–11 season==
Peltier remained first choice full back the following season. He received the first red card of his senior career during a 5–1 defeat to Premier League side Everton in the first round of the League Cup, being shown a second yellow after conceding a penalty.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8939654.stm |title=Everton 5–1 Huddersfield |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=13 January 2019}} On 16 November 2010, he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in their FA Cup first round replay against Cambridge United at the Galpharm Stadium, where Huddersfield were trailing before winning 2–1 with two goals in extra time.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9191156.stm |title=Huddersfield Town 2–1 Cambridge United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 November 2010 |access-date=13 January 2019}} His first league goal for Town came in their 3–1 win against Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium MK on 22 April 2011.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13090473 |title=MK Dons 1–2 Huddersfield Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2011 |access-date=14 January 2019}}
He made 53 appearances for the club during the season, helping the side reach the League One play-offs. During the first leg, he suffered a hamstring injury during a 1–1 draw with AFC Bournemouth but overcame fitness doubts play in the second leg, scoring his third goal of the season in a 3–3 draw as Huddersfield reached the final via a penalty shootout.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-star-lee-peltier-4976136 |title=Huddersfield Town star Lee Peltier on the 'magician' who got him fit for the play-offs |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=13 January 2019}} In his last game for the club, Peltier failed to gain promotion at Huddersfield after losing 3–0 to Peterborough United in the 2011 League One play-off final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13489373|title=Huddersfield 0–3 Peterborough| publisher = BBC Sport |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011}}
=Leicester City=
File:Lee Peltier.jpg during the 2010–11 season, during which he made 47 appearances]]
Within hours of Huddersfield's League One playoff defeat, the club received enquiries for several players including Peltier.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/alex-smithies-lee-peltier-could-4973104 |title=Alex Smithies and Lee Peltier could be set to leave Huddersfield Town |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=13 January 2019}}
On 22 June 2011, he signed for Championship side Leicester City, becoming Sven-Göran Eriksson's first signing of the summer after agreeing a three-year deal at the King Power Stadium.{{cite web| title= Foxes pounce for Peltier| url= http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2379842,00.html| publisher= Leicester City F.C| date= 22 June 2011| access-date= 5 August 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110623152419/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2379842%2C00.html| archive-date= 23 June 2011| url-status= dead}} He had been recommended to Eriksson by his assistant Derek Fazackerley who had previously worked with Peltier at Huddersfield where Fazackerley had worked as Lee Clark's assistant.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-patience-set-to-pay-off-for-warnock-1-4803189 |title=Patience set to pay off for Warnock |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |last=Hay |first=Phil |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=15 January 2019}} The initial fee was reported to be around £750,000 as part of a package worth over £1 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town/ward_is_tipped_for_return_to_top_after_1m_move_1_3571564 |title=Ward is tipped for return to top after £1m move |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=28 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170553/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town/ward_is_tipped_for_return_to_top_after_1m_move_1_3571564 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2011/06/22/huddersfield-town-sell-lee-peltier-to-leicester-city-86081-28918862/ |title=Huddersfield Town sell Lee Peltier to Leicester City: Former Town coach Derek Fazackerley on the deal |first=Dougie |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011}} On 6 August 2011, Peltier scored only goal on his league debut in a 1–0 victory over Coventry City, in the opening game of Leicester's 2011–12 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14352025 |title=Coventry City 0–1 Leicester City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2011 |access-date=13 January 2019}} However, the club struggled for form at the start of the season which lead to Eriksson's dismissal at the end of October having spent over £10 million on new signings.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-old-boy-lee-4958890 |title=Huddersfield Town old boy Lee Peltier eyes FA Cup tonic with Leicester City |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=18 February 2012 |access-date=13 January 2019}} Over the course of the season Peltier made 40 league appearances, scoring twice, and was the club's first choice right-back, ahead of John Pantsil. The club finished the season in ninth place under Eriksson's successor Nigel Pearson.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19161868 |title=Championship 2012-13 season: Club-by-club guide |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Madden |first=Phil |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=5 February 2019}}
In July 2012, after the club signed Belgian right-back Ritchie De Laet, Leicester announced that Peltier was not part of Pearson's long-term planning.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-tug-of-war-for-leicester-city-star-1-4749186/amp |title=Leeds United: Tug of war for Leicester City star |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=13 January 2019}} Former Leicester player Steve Walsh commented his belief that "his better performances came under Sven and I don't think Nigel saw the best of him", leading to him being made available for a transfer. Despite this, Walsh claimed that Peltier would be a "good signing for any club in this league." Having been made available, Peltier chose to return home from a pre-season training camp in Austria,{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Lee-Peltier-tells-Leicester-City-want/story-16553582-detail/story.html |title=Lee Peltier tells Leicester City: 'I want out' |newspaper=Leicester Mercury |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720200240/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Lee-Peltier-tells-Leicester-City-want/story-16553582-detail/story.html |archive-date=20 July 2012 |url-status=live }} and this triggered transfer interest from his former club Huddersfield Town and Leeds United. Both clubs were reported to have bid around £600,000 but both were rejected by Leicester City who had set an asking price of £850,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19013404 |title=Lee Peltier price too high for Huddersfield Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}} Leeds later agreed a fee with Leicester for the purchase of Peltier on 3 August.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-peltier-set-to-join-whites-1-4799495|title=Leeds United: Peltier set to join Whites|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=3 August 2012|access-date=3 August 2012}}
=Leeds United=
Peltier joined Leeds United on 4 August 2012, and signed a three-year contract with the club. He became the club's tenth signing of the summer,{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120804/defender-completes-united-move_2247585_2871481|title=Peltier becomes latest signing|publisher=Leeds United F.C.|date=4 August 2012|access-date=4 August 2012 }} with manager Neil Warnock making his signing a priority after missing out on his original target Joel Ward. Peltier made his competitive debut for Leeds playing at centre-back in the first game of the season against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on 11 August.{{Cite web
|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120811/shrewsbury-live_2247585_2878205|title=Shrewsbury live|access-date=11 August 2012|publisher=Leeds United F.C|date=11 August 2012}} Peltier was announced as the new Leeds United captain on 18 August, replacing the departed captain Robert Snodgrass.{{cite web |url=http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/leeds_captains/ |title=Leeds United and Leeds City Captains' Statistics |website=ozwhitelufc.net |access-date=13 January 2019}} Peltier made his league debut for Leeds in their 1–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120818/united-open-up-with-a-winner_2247585_2889721|title=Becchio goal secures win against Wolves...|publisher=Leeds United F.C.|date=18 August 2012|access-date=18 August 2012}} He became an established first team player in his first season, making 41 league appearances, under managers Neil Warnock, Neil Redfearn and Brian McDermott primarily as a centre-back partnering Tom Lees. Toward the end of the season, he reverted to his usual position at right-back.{{cite web |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/3940/lee-peltier |title=Lee Peltier |date=11 July 2013 |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=13 January 2019}}
Despite captaining Leeds during 2013–14 pre-season, and for the opening two games of the season, Peltier was replaced in the role by teammate Rodolph Austin who returned to the side against Leicester City on 11 August 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/w3yls943av5x1s4p0c6p3eyxk/title/leicester-live!|title=Leicester Vs Leeds|publisher=Leeds United F.C.|date=11 August 2013|access-date=11 August 2013}} Peltier publicly supported Austin following the announcement, commenting "It was the gaffer's choice to go with Rudy and I respect that."{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-axed-captain-peltier-says-he-s-buzzing-for-pal-austin-1-6049850 |title=Axed captain Peltiers says he's 'buzzing' for pal Austin |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |last=Hay |first=Phil |date=13 September 2013 |access-date=14 January 2019}} Peltier scored his first Leeds goal in a 1–1 draw against Blackpool on 26 December 2013 with a looping header.{{Cite news
| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/t1i8uh7spd9m10m0jli1vytyt/title/united-draw-at-the-seaside
| title = Lee Peltier goal seals away point for United...
| access-date = 26 December 2013
| publisher = Leeds United F.C.
| date = 26 December 2013}}
After falling out of favour under McDermott, on 24 March 2014, Leeds announced that Peltier had signed for Nottingham Forest on loan, however Forest owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi announced the same day that the deal hadn't been completed,{{Cite news
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26718543
| title = Lee Peltier: Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi denies deal for Leeds man
| access-date = 24 March 2014
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 24 March 2014}} resulting in confusion over which club Peltier was contracted to.{{Cite news
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26775239
| title = Nottingham Forest owner confirms deal for Leeds United's Lee Peltier
| access-date = 27 March 2014
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 24 March 2014}} On 27 March 2014, Peltier completed his loan move to Nottingham Forest, only hours after their sacking of Billy Davies as manager.{{Cite news
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26718543
| title = Nottingham Forest sign Leeds United full-back Lee Peltier
| access-date = 24 March 2014
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 24 March 2014}} His former Leeds manager Neil Warnock was expected to be announced as Davies' replacement and Peltier had been lined up as the club's first signing under the new manager. However, Warnock's appointment collapsed when he was unable to agree personal terms with the club's hierarchy. Peltier attempted to back out of the move after being informed that Warnock was not going to be appointed and had hoped to join Bolton Wanderers instead,{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-i-could-have-got-nottingham-forest-promoted-into-the-premier-league-9222568.html |title=Neil Warnock: I could have got Nottingham Forest promoted into the Premier League |newspaper=The Independent |last=Warnock |first=Neil |date=29 March 2014 |access-date=15 January 2019}} who submitted a late bid to sign him.{{cite news |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11101742.amp/ |title=Bolton Wanderers move in for Leeds United defender Lee Peltier after Nottingham Forest let-down |newspaper=The Bolton News |last=Iles |first=Marc |date=26 March 2014 |access-date=13 January 2019}} However, the transfer had already been processed and Peltier eventually completed his move to Forest without Warnock. He was favoured in a central midfield position for Forest under caretaker manager Gary Brazil, making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Ipswich Town on 29 March.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26695402 |title=Ipswich Town 1–1 Nottingham Forest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 March 2014 |access-date=13 January 2019}} With Forest appointing Stuart Pearce as the new manager, Peltier returned to Leeds. On his return he stated that he was unsure what his future would hold at Leeds.{{Cite news
| url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11727/9299902/transfer-news-nottingham-forest-loanee-lee-peltier-unsure-what-his-future-holds |title=Peltier:Future Unclear |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 May 2015 |access-date=16 January 2019}} He made seven appearances for Forest without scoring during his loan spell. He later commented that "I didn't realise how much I wasn't enjoying my football until I joined them (Forest)", believing that instability over Leeds' ownership under Massimo Cellino had directly affected the player's performances.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town/i-m-relieved-to-be-out-of-leeds-lee-peltier-signs-with-huddersfield-1-6689361 |title=I'm relieved to be out of Leeds – Lee Peltier signs with Huddersfield |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |last=Wobschall |first=Leon |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=13 January 2019}} This included a two-month spell where players were left unpaid.{{cite news |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2014/june/pelts-im-a-better-player/ |title=Pelts: I'm a better player |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |last=Threlfall-Sykes |first=David |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=14 January 2019}}
=Return to Huddersfield Town=
On 23 June 2014, Peltier left Leeds United, after reaching a mutual agreement with the club to cancel the last year of his contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11295089.peltier-quits-leeds-united/ |title=Peltier quits Leeds United |newspaper=Telegraph & Argus |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=13 January 2019}} Despite interest from Forest, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, on the same day, Peltier rejoined former club Huddersfield Town on a three-year deal. He took the number 37 shirt which he wore during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest at the end of the previous season. On 7 August, he was named as the new club captain by manager Mark Robins, replacing Peter Clarke, who left at the end of the previous season.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/lee-peltier-proud-captain-huddersfield-7585819 |title=Lee Peltier so proud to captain Huddersfield Town |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=8 August 2014 |access-date=13 January 2019}} He made his second debut for the Terriers in their 4–0 defeat by Bournemouth on 9 August. However, following the dismissal of Robins, Peltier fell out of favour under new manager Chris Powell who preferred Tommy Smith.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9673576/transfer-news-cardiff-confirm-signing-of-lee-peltier-from-huddersfield-town |title=Peltier signs for Cardiff |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2019}} On 16 October, he was relieved of his duties as captain by Powell, being replaced by new signing Mark Hudson.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-towns-former-liverpool-leicester-8486435 |title=Huddersfield Town's former Liverpool Leicester and Leeds United defender Lee Peltier "on radar" of Cardiff City |publisher=Examiner Live |last=Booth |first=Mel |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2019}} He made only four further appearances under Powell, ending his second spell with Huddersfield having made 12 appearances in all competitions.
=Cardiff City=
File:Lee Peltier Cardiff City.jpg during the 2014–15 season, during which he made 15 appearances]]
On 24 January 2015, Peltier signed for Cardiff City on a deal until the summer of 2018,{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/deal-completed-peltier-is-a-bluebird-2223871.aspx|title=Deal Completed: Peltier Is A Bluebird|first=Mark|last=Denham|publisher=Cardiff City F.C.|date=26 January 2015|access-date=15 January 2019}} reuniting with his former Yeovil manager Russell Slade.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30907950 |title=Cardiff City: Huddersfield full-back Lee Peltier signs for Bluebirds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2019}} Signed as a replacement for John Brayford,{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-sign-ex-liverpool-8511641 |title=Cardiff City sign ex Liverpool FC full back Lee Peltier from Huddersfield Town to replace departing John Brayford |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Rogers |first=Gareth |date=24 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2019}} he made his debut for the club, a week later in a 2–0 loss to Derby County,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30962968 |title=Cardiff City 0–2 Derby County |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Westall |first=Rob |date=31 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2019}} and went on to help Cardiff push away from a relegation battle and finished mid-table. The following season, Peltier became an ever-present member of the team which just missed out on a play-off place to Sheffield Wednesday.{{cite web|title=Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Cardiff City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36118083 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2016 |access-date=30 April 2016}}
The appointment of Paul Trollope in 2016 as Slade's successor threatened to displace Peltier from the side with the new manager favouring more attack minded full-back Jazz Richards. However, Trollope was sacked after three months in charge and was replaced by Peltier's former Leeds manager Neil Warnock.{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Johnson|title=Cardiff City's unsung hero – Why Lee Peltier has rediscovered himself under Neil Warnock|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-citys-unsung-hero-lee-12171473.amp|work=WalesOnline|publisher=Media Wales|access-date=24 March 2018|date=14 November 2016}} In February 2017, Peltier underwent an operation on his ankle, which resulted in a long-term absence from the first-team squad. He eventually made his return on 17 April, having missed nearly three months, against Nottingham Forest.{{cite news |title=Cardiff City defender Lee Peltier has operation on ankle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38931420 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2017 |access-date=10 February 2017}} Despite an injury-ridden season, he made 28 appearances and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.{{cite web|title=Cardiff City: Bluebirds contract extensions for Hoilett and Peltier |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40174267 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2017 |access-date=6 June 2017}}
Peltier was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League during the 2017–18 season, making 30 appearances for the club as they finished as Championship runners-up.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44993945 |title=Lee Peltier: Cardiff City defender discharged after head blow |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Phillips |first=Rob |date=29 July 2018 |access-date=14 January 2019}} In the opening match of the following season, he made his Premier League debut in a 2–0 defeat to Bournemouth.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45067370 |title=Bournemouth 2–0 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=11 August 2018 |access-date=14 January 2019}} He was dropped from the first team following the match with manager Neil Warnock favouring playing centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga at right-back,{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-newcastle-united-bournemouth-15049487 |title=A ruthless Cardiff City selection decision, a surprise stat and the men forced into the shadows |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Mitchelmore |first=Ian |date=20 August 2018 |access-date=14 January 2019}} not making a league appearance for over a month when he suffered a shoulder injury during a 5–0 defeat to Manchester City on 22 September.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45614525 |title=Cardiff City 0–5 Manchester City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2018 |access-date=14 January 2019}}
=West Bromwich Albion=
On 31 January 2020, Peltier signed for Cardiff's fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion.{{cite web |url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/club-statement-lee-peltier-departs |title= Peltier Departs |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=31 January 2020}} However, he did not make any appearances for the Baggies and was released by the end of the extended season. Peltier rejoined the club in September 2020, and made his debut for the club in the EFL Cup against Harrogate.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54072159 |title= Baggies reach third round of Carabao Cup |publisher=BBC |date=16 September 2020 |access-date=31 January 2020}} On 29 December 2020, he made his first league start for West Brom in a 5–0 home defeat to Leeds.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55406821 |title = West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Leeds United |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 29 December 2020 |access-date = 29 December 2020}}
On 27 May 2021 it was announced that Peltier would leave West Bromwich Albion following the conclusion of his contract, thus ending an 18-month spell at the club.{{Cite web|title=Albion announce retained and released lists {{!}} West Bromwich Albion|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/albion-announce-retained-and-released-lists|access-date=2021-05-29|website=wba.co.uk|language=en}}
=Middlesbrough=
On 2 July 2021, Peltier joined Middlesbrough on a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/lee-peltier-is-summer-signing-number-four|title=Lee Peltier Is Summer Signing Number Four|website=mfc.co.uk|date=2 July 2021|accessdate=9 May 2022}} Peltier left the club at the end of the 2021–22 season upon the expiration of his contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/mfc-retained-list-summer-2022|title=MFC Retained List: Summer 2022|website=mfc.co.uk|date=9 May 2022}}
=Rotherham United=
On 28 July 2022, Peltier joined Rotherham United on a one-year contract.{{cite news |title=Peltier pens one-year deal ahead of Sky Bet Championship opener |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2022/july/signing--peltier-pens-one-year-deal-ahead-of-sky-bet-championship-opener/ |access-date=28 July 2022 |publisher=Rotherham United FC |date=28 July 2022}}
Following the departure of Paul Warne as Rotherham United's manager in September 2022, Peltier was installed as caretaker manager along with Richard Wood as the club searched for a permanent option.{{cite web |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2022/september/read--update-on-managerial-situation/ |title=Update on managerial situation |work=Rotherham United FC |date=30 September 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022}} Peltier was in the technical area and Wood played as the duo oversaw a 2–0 home loss to Wigan Athletic, this was the only game overseen by the duo before the appointment of Exeter City's Matt Taylor.
He scored his first goal for the South Yorkshire club in a 2-1 defeat to Reading F.C. - his first netting in almost a decade.
International career
Peltier is a former youth international player having represented his native England at international level. He was capped at under-18 level three times during his time as a player at hometown club Liverpool but has not been capped at a higher level than under-18s to date.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Huddersfield-pound-1m-price-tag-Leicester-City/story-12789820-detail/story.html|title=Huddersfield put £1m price-tag on Leicester City target Lee Peltier|date=17 June 2011|access-date=5 May 2013|newspaper=Leicester Mercury|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505080031/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Huddersfield-pound-1m-price-tag-Leicester-City/story-12789820-detail/story.html%23axzz2SP373IW0|archive-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live}}
In 2012, Peltier was approached by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association to represent the Benna Boys at international level.{{cite web|last=Baptitste|first=Neto|title=Help for Benna Boys|url=http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=79817|publisher=Antigua Observer|access-date=8 March 2013|date=22 August 2012}}
Style of play
Though mainly a right-back, Peltier also plays in the centre-back position.{{cite news|first=Doug|last=Thomson|title=Huddersfield Town ready to step up bid to bring Lee Peltier back after defender leaves Leeds United|url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/huddersfield-town-ready-step-up-7310804.amp|newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|access-date=24 March 2018|date=23 June 2014}} He has said that right-back is his favourite position and has described himself as "a hard working defensive type of player who likes to tackle and pass the ball. [He gets] about the pitch quite well and keep it simple."{{cite news|first=Doug|last=Thomson|title=Nothing new about midfield role for Huddersfield Town's Lee Peltier|url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/nothing-new-midfield-role-huddersfield-4981184.amp|newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|access-date=24 March 2018|date=5 February 2011}} He does not move up the flanks and shoot crosses; instead he only plays as a defender. Scott Johnson from WalesOnline wrote that he "does not fit the modern stereotype of what we now expect from a full-back, as he is not particularly swashbuckling or flashy."
Personal life
In March 2009, Peltier was shopping with fellow footballer Victor Anichebe in Knutsford when the pair were stopped by police officers after being accused of theft. During the incident, Peltier was handcuffed by officers and Anichebe's crutch was confiscated. The pair were not arrested over the claim and Anichebe received a public apology from the assistant chief constable of the Cheshire Constabulary over the claims.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/cheshire-police-apologises-everton-fc-3457189 |title=Cheshire police apologises to Everton FC star Victor Anichebe over Knutsford incident |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=11 January 2019}}
Career statistics
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Cardiff City
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2017–18{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2018–2019 |year=2018 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6106-9 |pages=106–107}}
Individual
- Yeovil Town Young Player of the Year: 2007–08
- Huddersfield Town Players' Player of the season: 2009–10
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peltier, Lee}}
Category:Footballers from Liverpool
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football utility players
Category:Liverpool F.C. players
Category:Hull City A.F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:English people of Antigua and Barbuda descent
Category:Sportspeople of Antigua and Barbuda descent
Category:Premier League players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. managers