Lenny Pidgeley
Encyclopedia
Leonard James "Lenny" Pidgeley (born 7 February 1984) is an English footballer who plays for Exeter City
as a goalkeeper.
, London
, initially signed up by Chelsea
since the opening of the 2002–03
season, he was loaned out to Watford
between September 2003 and May 2004, a deal initially intended to last for two months, but extending to the end of the season. His debut Watford match was against Crewe Alexandra
, which they won 1–0 – in which he participated as a substitute for the dismissed Alec Chamberlain
.
Except for a League Cup game while on loan at Millwall, Pidgeley spent the whole of the 2005–06
season at Chelsea. He spent the season third choice behind Petr Čech
and Carlo Cudicini
in the pecking order at Chelsea. He was given the number 40 shirt by Chelsea, in reference to his time at Watford when they beat Watford 4–0 in an FA cup match, with Pidgeley in goal. He made his first starting appearance for the club in the last match of the season against Newcastle United
at St James' Park
, after Cudicini had suffered an injury in pre-match training. Pidgeley had previously made his debut for Chelsea coming on as a substitute for Cudicini in the final home game of the 2004–05
Premiership season against Charlton Athletic
.
Pidgeley has previously been selected for the England under-21
squad.
After leaving Chelsea in need of regular first team football Pidgeley signed a three-year contract with Millwall in May 2006 becoming their first choice goalkeeper in the 2006-07 season before injury and the arrival of new manager Kenny Jackett
during the following season.
In August 2008, he signed a one month loan with Woking
. On his last home league game for Woking before returning to Millwall he saved a penalty from Steve Morison
against Woking's rivals Stevenage Borough
. Pidgeley had been tipped to go into talks with League One side Carlisle United during 2009–10 pre-season. He signed a one-year deal with the Cumbrians on 8 July after the departure of Ben Williams to Colchester United
.
He spent the first two months of the 2010–11
season with Conference South side Woking, before leaving in September 2010 after making nine appearances for the club. On 26 October 2010, he was given a trial with League Two
club Bradford City
appearing for Bradford's reserves against Sheffield United. He made his debut on 30 October in a 5–0 win against Oxford United
.
In June 2011, Pidgeley signed on a free transfer for League One side Exeter City
on a one-year contract.
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
as a goalkeeper.
Career
Born in TwickenhamTwickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, initially signed up by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
since the opening of the 2002–03
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
season, he was loaned out to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
between September 2003 and May 2004, a deal initially intended to last for two months, but extending to the end of the season. His debut Watford match was against Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, which they won 1–0 – in which he participated as a substitute for the dismissed Alec Chamberlain
Alec Chamberlain
Alec Francis Roy Chamberlain is a former English goalkeeper currently employed by Watford as the club's goalkeeping coach. He made 788 league appearances during his 25-year playing career, the final 11 years and 247 appearances of which were with Watford.-Career:Chamberlain started his career at...
.
Except for a League Cup game while on loan at Millwall, Pidgeley spent the whole of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season at Chelsea. He spent the season third choice behind Petr Čech
Petr Cech
Petr Čech is a Czech footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Czech Republic as a goalkeeper. Čech previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals...
and Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini is an Italian goalkeeper who currently plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. In his 10 years at Chelsea he established himself as one of England's best goalkeepers before injury and the arrival of Petr Cech displaced him as first-choice...
in the pecking order at Chelsea. He was given the number 40 shirt by Chelsea, in reference to his time at Watford when they beat Watford 4–0 in an FA cup match, with Pidgeley in goal. He made his first starting appearance for the club in the last match of the season against 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...
at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
, after Cudicini had suffered an injury in pre-match training. Pidgeley had previously made his debut for Chelsea coming on as a substitute for Cudicini in the final home game of the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
Premiership season against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
.
Pidgeley has previously been selected for the England under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
squad.
After leaving Chelsea in need of regular first team football Pidgeley signed a three-year contract with Millwall in May 2006 becoming their first choice goalkeeper in the 2006-07 season before injury and the arrival of new manager Kenny Jackett
Kenny Jackett
Kenny Jackett is a former Wales international football player, who has since moved into management. He is the current manager of Millwall, the longest serving manager in the Football League Championship and eleventh longest serving manager in England.A skilful player, equally at home in defence or...
during the following season.
In August 2008, he signed a one month loan with Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
. On his last home league game for Woking before returning to Millwall he saved a penalty from Steve Morison
Steve Morison
Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence...
against Woking's rivals Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. Pidgeley had been tipped to go into talks with League One side Carlisle United during 2009–10 pre-season. He signed a one-year deal with the Cumbrians on 8 July after the departure of Ben Williams to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
.
He spent the first two months of the 2010–11
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
season with Conference South side Woking, before leaving in September 2010 after making nine appearances for the club. On 26 October 2010, he was given a trial with League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
appearing for Bradford's reserves against Sheffield United. He made his debut on 30 October in a 5–0 win against Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
.
In June 2011, Pidgeley signed on a free transfer for League One side Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on a one-year contract.