Tom Lees
Encyclopedia
Thomas James "Tom" Lees (born 18 November 1990) is an English
professional footballer, who plays as a defender
for Leeds United
. Lees has undertaken two season-long loan spells at Bury
and Accrington Stanley
. He plays as a defender
.
coming up from the youth system, he eventually broke into the first team when he played for the first team in the 2009 pre-season
, after being involved in some of Leeds' friendly
matches against Shelbourne
and Glentoran
. Leeds felt that he needed to gain some match experience and he was sent out on loan.
on loan on 1 September 2009, of which Leeds manager Simon Grayson
commented on saying; "The move to Accrington will give him the opportunity to spend time in a first team environment and we will be keeping an eye on him". He made his debut on the same day for Accrington in their 2–1 away win over Oldham Athletic in the Football League Trophy
.
With Lees impressing in his first few games for Accrington, Simon Grayson revealed that he was keen for Lees to stay out on loan at Accrington to continue to get first team games. In late December, Lees' loan at Accrington was extended until the end of the 2009–10 season. On 23 February 2010, Lees signed a two-year contract extension with Leeds United until July 2012. During his loan spell at Accrington Lees was mainly played as a right back. He impressed in the 46 appearances he played in all competitions and Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman
revealed he would wanted to re-sign Lees again for the following season.
against MFK Ružomberok
and MFK Košice
as part of a 20-man squad that traveled. Lees also played for Leeds in Norway against SK Brann. In Leeds' final pre-season fixture, Lees was an unused substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers
in the 3–1 victory at Elland Road.
on a six-month loan in order to gain more first team experience. Lees played against Bury two weeks prior to signing, when he came on as a substitute for Leeds in the 4–0 loss. On 14 August, he scored his first goal of the season at the Kassam Stadium
versus the newly promoted Oxford United
collecting his second man of the match award for Bury. Lees scored his second goal of the season for Bury against Exeter City
in the FA Cup. With Lees impressing in his loan spell he was linked with a new contract at Leeds. On 10 December he signed a new two and a half year contract with Leeds, and it was announced on 30 December, that he had extended his loan at Bury until the end of the season.
Lees scored the winner for Bury in a 1-0 win against Lincoln on 22 April. Lees also scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion. On 25 April he scored his fifth goal of the season in his club's 3–2 win over league leaders Chesterfield
, a game which confirmed Bury's promotion to League One
. After an impressive season at Bury, Leeds manager Simon Grayson stated that he thought Lees had a big future at Leeds United. During his loan spell he played 50 times for the club, and appeared in all but one of Bury's league matches. Lees won the Players Player Of The Year Award at Bury's annual player of the season awards ceremony. Bury manager Richie Barker said he believed that Lees was the best young centre half in League Two and heavily praised Lees in an interview in the Yorkshire Evening Post
.
. Lees made his League debut for Leeds on 13 August against Middlesbrough
in a match Leeds lost 1–0. He scored an own goal in his second start for Leeds against Hull City
, he then made amends when scored his first goal for the club in the same game with a strike from inside the penalty area. Despite being a central defender, Lees found himself a regular as the right back for Leeds with Patrick Kisnorbo
and Darren O'Dea
the preferred central defence partnership. Lees was also part of the Leeds team that came undone in a 3-0 loss against fierce rivals Manchester United
in the League Cup, Lees almost scored for Leeds early on in the game but he found his header cleared off the line.
Lees signed a new contract extension with the club on 30 September, the new contract extended his existing contract until 2015. After playing all his games at right back for Leeds, Lees was moved into his favoured centre back position against Portsmouth
on 1 October, Leeds also kept their first clean sheet of the season in the same game. Lees' second goal of the season came in Leeds 3–0 win against Doncaster Rovers
on 14 October. Lees provided the assist for Robert Snodgrass
in the 1–1 draw against Cardiff City
. Lees was red carded for deliberate handball after an error by goalkeeper Paul Rachubka
against Blackpool.
Individual
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer, who plays as a defender
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....
for Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. Lees has undertaken two season-long loan spells at Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
and Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
. He plays as a defender
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....
.
Leeds United
Lees started at Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
coming up from the youth system, he eventually broke into the first team when he played for the first team in the 2009 pre-season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
, after being involved in some of Leeds' friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
matches against Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
and Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
. Leeds felt that he needed to gain some match experience and he was sent out on loan.
Accrington Stanley loan spell
He joined Accrington StanleyAccrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
on loan on 1 September 2009, of which Leeds manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
commented on saying; "The move to Accrington will give him the opportunity to spend time in a first team environment and we will be keeping an eye on him". He made his debut on the same day for Accrington in their 2–1 away win over Oldham Athletic in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
.
With Lees impressing in his first few games for Accrington, Simon Grayson revealed that he was keen for Lees to stay out on loan at Accrington to continue to get first team games. In late December, Lees' loan at Accrington was extended until the end of the 2009–10 season. On 23 February 2010, Lees signed a two-year contract extension with Leeds United until July 2012. During his loan spell at Accrington Lees was mainly played as a right back. He impressed in the 46 appearances he played in all competitions and Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman
John Coleman
John Douglas Coleman was an Australian rules footballer and coach for Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
revealed he would wanted to re-sign Lees again for the following season.
Return to Leeds
At the end of the 2009–10 season Lees returned to Leeds' after playing 39 league games for Accrington Stanley, and 45 games in all competitions. The following season, he featured in both of Leeds United's pre-season games in SlovakiaSlovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
against MFK Ružomberok
MFK Ružomberok
MFK Ružomberok is a Slovak football club, playing in the city of Ružomberok.-History:Established in 1906, the club's colours have been traditionally white, yellow and red, which are also featured on the town's flag...
and MFK Košice
MFK Košice
MFK Košice is a professional Slovak first division football club based in Košice. The club, founded in 1952, won the Slovak League twice, the Slovak Cup four times and the Czechoslovak Cup once. The most successful era of the club has been in 70's and 90's years of past century which they have...
as part of a 20-man squad that traveled. Lees also played for Leeds in Norway against SK Brann. In Leeds' final pre-season fixture, Lees was an unused substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in the 3–1 victory at Elland Road.
Bury loan
On 3 August 2010, Lees joined League Two side BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on a six-month loan in order to gain more first team experience. Lees played against Bury two weeks prior to signing, when he came on as a substitute for Leeds in the 4–0 loss. On 14 August, he scored his first goal of the season at the Kassam Stadium
Kassam Stadium
The Kassam Stadium is the home of Oxford United Football Club, and is named after the ground's owner, and former chairman of the club, Firoz Kassam....
versus the newly promoted 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...
collecting his second man of the match award for Bury. Lees scored his second goal of the season for Bury against 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...
in the FA Cup. With Lees impressing in his loan spell he was linked with a new contract at Leeds. On 10 December he signed a new two and a half year contract with Leeds, and it was announced on 30 December, that he had extended his loan at Bury until the end of the season.
Lees scored the winner for Bury in a 1-0 win against Lincoln on 22 April. Lees also scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion. On 25 April he scored his fifth goal of the season in his club's 3–2 win over league leaders Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, a game which confirmed Bury's promotion to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. After an impressive season at Bury, Leeds manager Simon Grayson stated that he thought Lees had a big future at Leeds United. During his loan spell he played 50 times for the club, and appeared in all but one of Bury's league matches. Lees won the Players Player Of The Year Award at Bury's annual player of the season awards ceremony. Bury manager Richie Barker said he believed that Lees was the best young centre half in League Two and heavily praised Lees in an interview in the Yorkshire Evening Post
Yorkshire Evening Post
The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
.
Leeds first team
After returning to Leeds, he played a part in all Leeds' 2011–12 pre-season fixtures either as a substitute or in the starting lineup. He received the squad number 22 for the forthcoming season. Lees made his debut against Bradford City as a second half substitute in their 3–2 victory, making an instant impact by gaining an assist by setting up the opening goal for Ross McCormackRoss McCormack
Ross McCormack is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for English football club Leeds United and the Scotland national team. His main position is as a Striker but he can also play as a Winger....
. Lees made his League debut for Leeds on 13 August against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in a match Leeds lost 1–0. He scored an own goal in his second start for Leeds against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, he then made amends when scored his first goal for the club in the same game with a strike from inside the penalty area. Despite being a central defender, Lees found himself a regular as the right back for Leeds with Patrick Kisnorbo
Patrick Kisnorbo
Patrick Fabio Maxime Kisnorbo is an Australian football player of Mauritian and Italian heritage who plays for Leeds United in The Championship of the English Football League. Kisnorbo is also an Australian international with 18 caps to his name. Also known by his nickname Paddy...
and Darren O'Dea
Darren O'Dea
Darren O'Dea [pronounced dah-renh-oh-dee] is an Irish footballer who currently plays as a centre back for English Football League Championship club Leeds United after joining on a loan deal from Celtic. O'Dea has represented his country at under-21 level and at senior level...
the preferred central defence partnership. Lees was also part of the Leeds team that came undone in a 3-0 loss against fierce rivals 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...
in the League Cup, Lees almost scored for Leeds early on in the game but he found his header cleared off the line.
Lees signed a new contract extension with the club on 30 September, the new contract extended his existing contract until 2015. After playing all his games at right back for Leeds, Lees was moved into his favoured centre back position against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 1 October, Leeds also kept their first clean sheet of the season in the same game. Lees' second goal of the season came in Leeds 3–0 win against Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on 14 October. Lees provided the assist for Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...
in the 1–1 draw against Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. Lees was red carded for deliberate handball after an error by goalkeeper Paul Rachubka
Paul Rachubka
Paul Stephen Rachubka is an American-English professional Association football goalkeeper who plays for Leeds United after joining the club from Blackpool ....
against Blackpool.
Honours
Bury- League Two: Promotion: 2010–112010–11 Football League TwoThe 2010–11 Football League Two season, , was the lowest division of the Football League for that season...
Individual
- BuryBury F.C.Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
Player of the Year Awards – 2010–11: Players Player of the Year
Career statistics
| Discipline |
|---|
| Leeds United Leeds United A.F.C. Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system... |
Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... > 17 |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | ! 19 !! 2 | 0 |
| Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
Loan | 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.... > 45 |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | ! 50 !! 5 | 0 |
| Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system.... |
Loan | 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.... > 39 |
0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | ! 46 !! 0 | 0 |
