Gordon Lee (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gordon Francis Lee is a former English
footballer and football manager.
A right-back
during his playing days, he moved from Hednesford Town
to Aston Villa
in 1955. He spent the next eleven years with the "Villans", winning a Second Division
championship medal in 1959–60, a League Cup
winners medal in 1961
, as well as a League Cup runners-up medal in 1963
. He then moved on to Shrewsbury Town
in 1966, where he made the shift from player to coach.
He began his management career with Port Vale
in 1968, leading them to promotion out of the Fourth Division
in 1969–70
. Switching to Blackburn Rovers
in January 1974, he took them to the Third Division
title in 1974–75. This won him the top job at Newcastle United
, and in 1976
he led Newcastle to the Football League Cup
final. He took up the reigns at Everton
in 1977, and also took them to the League Cup Final
later in the year. After losing his job at Everton in 1981, he was appointed manager of Preston North End
, before he departed two years later. In 1985 he moved to Iceland to manage KR Reykjavik
, before he left the club in 1987. Returning to England behind the scenes at Leicester City
, he spent a brief period of 1991 as the club's caretaker-manager.
who began at Hednesford Town
and joined Aston Villa
in October 1955. In 1959–60, the Villans were crowned Second Division
champions. Though Lee played no part in the club's 1957 FA Cup Final
victory over Manchester United
, he played in both of Villa's League Cup finals. The 1961 final
saw Villa defeat Rotherham United
3–2 on aggregate to become the inaugural winners of the competition. Lee also played in both legs of the 1963 final
, which ended in a 3–1 aggregate defeat to rival's Birmingham City
. He made over 100 appearances for Villa before he was transferred to Shrewsbury Town
in July 1966, later becoming a trainer-coach at Town. He also served as Arthur Rowley
's assistant manager.
in May 1968. Succeeding Stanley Matthews
, he was an archetypal modern manager; track-suited
and with a focus on coaching. Devising an individual coaching plan for each player, he build a side around fitness and teamwork. Under his command Vale gained promotion to the Third Division
at the first attempt. Veteran Roy Sproson
later said that "Lee was a great person to work for. He was as straight as a die but, if anything, rather cautious and predictable. If he took over a team in North Vietnam
, I would know the way they play."
In January 1974 he left for Blackburn Rovers
, leading them to promotion from the Third Division. In 1975 he moved on to Newcastle United
, where he led the team to the final of the League Cup
in 1976
.
He switched to Everton
in 1977. In his first season at Everton the team finished ninth and reached the League Cup Final and the FA Cup
semi-finals. In the next seasons Everton mounted serious title challenges before finishing third and fourth but the 1979–80 season was deemed a failure. Lee brought in several players who were later to become successful: Kevin Ratcliffe
, Graeme Sharp
and Steve McMahon
. Even though he was well respected by the players, Lee was sacked by Everton's chairman Philip Carter
on 6 May 1981.
Lee's next move was to Preston North End
, he led the club from 1981 to 1983, when he left the English game. He took up a coaching position at Iceland
ic KR
before returning to England with Leicester City
as a coach and then assistant manager. He was also Leicester City's manager for a spell in 1991. Despite only being caretaker manager
of Leicester City for a brief period, Gordon Lee is fondly remembered for saving the club from relegation to the uncharted depths of the (old) Third Division following the disastrous tenure of David Pleat
.
with Blackburn Rovers
with Newcastle United
with Everton
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer and football manager.
A right-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
during his playing days, he moved from Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in 1955. He spent the next eleven years with the "Villans", winning a Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship medal in 1959–60, a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winners medal in 1961
1961 Football League Cup Final
The 1961 Football League Cup Final was the inaugural League Cup final. It was contested by Rotherham United and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa won 3–2 on aggregate....
, as well as a League Cup runners-up medal in 1963
1963 Football League Cup Final
The 1963 Football League Cup Final, the third to be staged since the competition's inception, was contested between local rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa had won the inaugural competition in 1960–61, and had beaten Birmingham 4–0 in their most recent...
. He then moved on to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
in 1966, where he made the shift from player to coach.
He began his management career with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 1968, leading them to promotion out of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1969–70
1969–70 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
. Switching to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in January 1974, he took them to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
title in 1974–75. This won him the top job at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, and in 1976
1976 Football League Cup Final
The 1976 Football League Cup Final took place between Manchester City and Newcastle United on 28 February 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was the sixteenth final and the tenth Football League Cup final to be played at Wembley. Manchester City won the match 2–1 to win the competition for the second time...
he led Newcastle to the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final. He took up the reigns at Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in 1977, and also took them to the League Cup Final
1977 Football League Cup Final
The 1977 Football League Cup Final was played between Aston Villa and Everton and required three games to decide the winner, the only time this has happened in the League Cup. The first match took place at Wembley Stadium on 12 March and the game ended in a dull goalless draw...
later in the year. After losing his job at Everton in 1981, he was appointed manager of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, before he departed two years later. In 1985 he moved to Iceland to manage KR Reykjavik
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, , for short KR or KR Reykjavík, is an Icelandic athletic club based in the capital, Reykjavík. KR is the oldest and most successful club in Icelandic football.-History:...
, before he left the club in 1987. Returning to England behind the scenes at Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, he spent a brief period of 1991 as the club's caretaker-manager.
Playing career
Lee was a full-backDefender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who began at Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
and joined Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in October 1955. In 1959–60, the Villans were crowned Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champions. Though Lee played no part in the club's 1957 FA Cup Final
1957 FA Cup Final
The 1957 FA Cup Final was a football match played on 4 May 1957 at Wembley Stadium. The match was contested by Aston Villa and Manchester United. Villa won 2-1, with both of their goals scored by Peter McParland...
victory over Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, he played in both of Villa's League Cup finals. The 1961 final
1961 Football League Cup Final
The 1961 Football League Cup Final was the inaugural League Cup final. It was contested by Rotherham United and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa won 3–2 on aggregate....
saw Villa defeat Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
3–2 on aggregate to become the inaugural winners of the competition. Lee also played in both legs of the 1963 final
1963 Football League Cup Final
The 1963 Football League Cup Final, the third to be staged since the competition's inception, was contested between local rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa had won the inaugural competition in 1960–61, and had beaten Birmingham 4–0 in their most recent...
, which ended in a 3–1 aggregate defeat to rival's Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. He made over 100 appearances for Villa before he was transferred to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
in July 1966, later becoming a trainer-coach at Town. He also served as Arthur Rowley
Arthur Rowley
George Arthur Rowley, , nicknamed "The Gunner" because of his explosive left-foot shot, was an English football player and cricketer. He holds the record for the most goals in the history of English league football, scoring 434 from 619 league games. He was the younger brother of Manchester United...
's assistant manager.
Management career
Lee started his management career with Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in May 1968. Succeeding Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
, he was an archetypal modern manager; track-suited
Tracksuit
A tracksuit is an article of clothing consisting of two parts: trousers and a jacket usually with front zipper. It was originally intended for use in sports, mainly as what athletes wore over competition clothing and would take off before competition. In modern times, it has become commonly worn...
and with a focus on coaching. Devising an individual coaching plan for each player, he build a side around fitness and teamwork. Under his command Vale gained promotion to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
at the first attempt. Veteran Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957...
later said that "Lee was a great person to work for. He was as straight as a die but, if anything, rather cautious and predictable. If he took over a team in North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
, I would know the way they play."
In January 1974 he left for Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, leading them to promotion from the Third Division. In 1975 he moved on to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, where he led the team to the final of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in 1976
1976 Football League Cup Final
The 1976 Football League Cup Final took place between Manchester City and Newcastle United on 28 February 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was the sixteenth final and the tenth Football League Cup final to be played at Wembley. Manchester City won the match 2–1 to win the competition for the second time...
.
He switched to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in 1977. In his first season at Everton the team finished ninth and reached the League Cup Final and the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-finals. In the next seasons Everton mounted serious title challenges before finishing third and fourth but the 1979–80 season was deemed a failure. Lee brought in several players who were later to become successful: Kevin Ratcliffe
Kevin Ratcliffe
Kevin Ratcliffe is a former Welsh footballer who spent most of his career playing for Everton. He was born in Mancot, near Queensferry in North Wales.-Club career:...
, Graeme Sharp
Graeme Sharp
Graeme Marshall Sharp is a former footballer. He started his playing career at Dumbarton before signing for Everton for £120,000 in 1980....
and Steve McMahon
Steve McMahon
Stephen Joseph McMahon is an English former football midfielder who most notably played for Liverpool in the late 1980s...
. Even though he was well respected by the players, Lee was sacked by Everton's chairman Philip Carter
Philip Carter
Sir Philip David Carter CBE is a Scottish-born football director, life president of Everton Football Club and a former director of Littlewoods....
on 6 May 1981.
Lee's next move was to Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, he led the club from 1981 to 1983, when he left the English game. He took up a coaching position at Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic KR
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, , for short KR or KR Reykjavík, is an Icelandic athletic club based in the capital, Reykjavík. KR is the oldest and most successful club in Icelandic football.-History:...
before returning to England with Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
as a coach and then assistant manager. He was also Leicester City's manager for a spell in 1991. Despite only being caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
of Leicester City for a brief period, Gordon Lee is fondly remembered for saving the club from relegation to the uncharted depths of the (old) Third Division following the disastrous tenure of David Pleat
David Pleat
David John Pleat is an English football player turned manager and sports commentator.He is remembered by his contemporaries primarily for his career as manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town football clubs, and for an oft-televised clip of him running onto the pitch in 1983 to celebrate after...
.
as a Player
with Aston Villa- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champions: 1959–60 - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winners: 19611961 Football League Cup FinalThe 1961 Football League Cup Final was the inaugural League Cup final. It was contested by Rotherham United and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa won 3–2 on aggregate.... - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
runners-up: 19631963 Football League Cup FinalThe 1963 Football League Cup Final, the third to be staged since the competition's inception, was contested between local rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa over two legs. Aston Villa had won the inaugural competition in 1960–61, and had beaten Birmingham 4–0 in their most recent...
as a Manager
with Port Vale- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
4th: 1969–701969–70 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
(promoted)
with Blackburn Rovers
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
champions: 1974–75
with Newcastle United
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
runner-up: 19761976 Football League Cup FinalThe 1976 Football League Cup Final took place between Manchester City and Newcastle United on 28 February 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was the sixteenth final and the tenth Football League Cup final to be played at Wembley. Manchester City won the match 2–1 to win the competition for the second time...
with Everton
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
runner-up: 19771977 Football League Cup FinalThe 1977 Football League Cup Final was played between Aston Villa and Everton and required three games to decide the winner, the only time this has happened in the League Cup. The first match took place at Wembley Stadium on 12 March and the game ended in a dull goalless draw...
External links
- Profile at Neil Brown stat site