As we continue the look back on the Wembley heroes from ten years ago (exactly ten years come tomorrow!), the player in focus this week is the man once touted as the one that could be our “first million pound player” by Ian Atkins.
Christian Lee came from nowhere to break into the Cobblers first team squad in 1996/97 and the future looked bright for the youngster as impressive performances and vital goals helped the Cobblers on their way to Wembley. Joining from Doncaster Rovers in July 1995, Lee went on to make over 50 appearances for the Cobblers, though the majority of these were from the bench.
After helping the club to Wembley, Lee made it into the starting line-up, playing just behind the front two of Larry and Big John Gayle and could even have been the goal scoring hero himself after a glancing header went just wide only minutes into the second half.
Chances were limited for Lee after that and in 1999 he joined Gillingham for £35,000. Lee never made an impact at the Priestfield and was sent out on loan to Rochdale and Leyton Orient before finally leaving the club to join Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in March 2003.
After just ten appearances for the Gas, Lee moved down to non-league with Farnborough Town and again didn’t last long, being sent out on loan to Rushden and Diamonds before returning to Farnborough and finally getting a run in the first team, helping them on a memorable cup run that ended at Highbury in a game where Lee was sent off early on in a 5-1 defeat!
Lee ended his career with Halifax Town in 2005 but all of his transfer fees put together (just the £35,000 then!) didn’t even come close to Ian Atkins’ valuation of the striker!
Nowadays, Lee has found his feet in the modelling industry after being signed up by Chinese fashion label Giordano to model sportswear!
Christian Lee came from nowhere to break into the Cobblers first team squad in 1996/97 and the future looked bright for the youngster as impressive performances and vital goals helped the Cobblers on their way to Wembley. Joining from Doncaster Rovers in July 1995, Lee went on to make over 50 appearances for the Cobblers, though the majority of these were from the bench.
After helping the club to Wembley, Lee made it into the starting line-up, playing just behind the front two of Larry and Big John Gayle and could even have been the goal scoring hero himself after a glancing header went just wide only minutes into the second half.
Chances were limited for Lee after that and in 1999 he joined Gillingham for £35,000. Lee never made an impact at the Priestfield and was sent out on loan to Rochdale and Leyton Orient before finally leaving the club to join Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in March 2003.
After just ten appearances for the Gas, Lee moved down to non-league with Farnborough Town and again didn’t last long, being sent out on loan to Rushden and Diamonds before returning to Farnborough and finally getting a run in the first team, helping them on a memorable cup run that ended at Highbury in a game where Lee was sent off early on in a 5-1 defeat!
Lee ended his career with Halifax Town in 2005 but all of his transfer fees put together (just the £35,000 then!) didn’t even come close to Ian Atkins’ valuation of the striker!
Nowadays, Lee has found his feet in the modelling industry after being signed up by Chinese fashion label Giordano to model sportswear!
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