8th April 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I have recently caught up with ex-Chelsea and Bristol Rovers player David Lee, to discuss his career as a footballer covering a range of topics. Topics covered include his footballing idols growing up, the biggest challenge he faced in his career amongst other topics, enjoy the Q&A!
Clubs: Chelsea (1988 - 1998), Reading (loan, 1992), Plymouth Argyle (loan, 1992), Portsmouth (loan, 1994), Sheffield United (loan, 1997), Bristol Rovers (1998 - 1999), Crystal Palace (1999), Colchester United (1999 - 2000), Exeter City (2000), Parramatta Power (2000 - 2001), Havant & Waterlooville (2001 - 2002), Forest Green Rovers (2002), Weston-Super-Mare FC (2002 - 2003), Yate Town (2003) & Mangotsfield United (2003 - 2004).
Check out the Q&A below!
Was there someone in particular who inspired you become a footballer? Also, did you have any footballing idols growing up, if so, why?
"I was the youngest in my family and just followed my brother into football and dad encouraged me from a early age and was there every step of the way. In terms of football idols growing up there was Glenn Hoddle and Alan Hansen just loved the way both of them played the game.”
What would you say is the highlight of your playing career?
"I think the highlight of your career is your debut because you work so hard to achieve the goal of playing for the first team of where u are and representing my country means a lot.”
After coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea, how much did it mean to you to play for the first team?
"It meant a lot to me after progressing through the ranks from 13 to an apprentice, and then into the reserves and I finally progressed to the first team to fulfil my childhood dream.”
Who was your favourite manager to play under throughout your career and why?
"I wouldn’t say I had one favourite manager i learnt a lot off some of them and not a lot off some.”
How good was the feeling of scoring on your Chelsea debut against Leicester in October 1988?
"It was a brilliant feeling to score on my debut only slightly soured by the fact that the terraces were half empty due to a ban imposed on the club but To score was a dream come true.”
Who would you say was the best player you played with in your time at Chelsea?
"I played with some great players in my time. (Alexis) Nicholas, (Graham) Roberts, (Tony) Dorigo, (Kerry) Dixon, (Dennis) Wise, (Andy) Townsend, (Mark) Hughes, (Glenn) Hoddle, (Ruud) Gullit, (Gianfranco) Zola, (Gianluca) Vialli etc so I couldn’t possibly name one, sorry!”
What were your feelings upon leaving Chelsea for Bristol Rovers in 1998?
"Leaving Chelsea to go to Bristol Rovers was really tough as I’d been at the club a long, long time.”
What would you say was the biggest challenge of your football career?
"The biggest challenge was coming back from my broken leg and trying to regain full fitness.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A, be on the look out for more soon!
Clubs: Chelsea (1988 - 1998), Reading (loan, 1992), Plymouth Argyle (loan, 1992), Portsmouth (loan, 1994), Sheffield United (loan, 1997), Bristol Rovers (1998 - 1999), Crystal Palace (1999), Colchester United (1999 - 2000), Exeter City (2000), Parramatta Power (2000 - 2001), Havant & Waterlooville (2001 - 2002), Forest Green Rovers (2002), Weston-Super-Mare FC (2002 - 2003), Yate Town (2003) & Mangotsfield United (2003 - 2004).
Check out the Q&A below!
Was there someone in particular who inspired you become a footballer? Also, did you have any footballing idols growing up, if so, why?
"I was the youngest in my family and just followed my brother into football and dad encouraged me from a early age and was there every step of the way. In terms of football idols growing up there was Glenn Hoddle and Alan Hansen just loved the way both of them played the game.”
What would you say is the highlight of your playing career?
"I think the highlight of your career is your debut because you work so hard to achieve the goal of playing for the first team of where u are and representing my country means a lot.”
After coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea, how much did it mean to you to play for the first team?
"It meant a lot to me after progressing through the ranks from 13 to an apprentice, and then into the reserves and I finally progressed to the first team to fulfil my childhood dream.”
Who was your favourite manager to play under throughout your career and why?
"I wouldn’t say I had one favourite manager i learnt a lot off some of them and not a lot off some.”
How good was the feeling of scoring on your Chelsea debut against Leicester in October 1988?
"It was a brilliant feeling to score on my debut only slightly soured by the fact that the terraces were half empty due to a ban imposed on the club but To score was a dream come true.”
Who would you say was the best player you played with in your time at Chelsea?
"I played with some great players in my time. (Alexis) Nicholas, (Graham) Roberts, (Tony) Dorigo, (Kerry) Dixon, (Dennis) Wise, (Andy) Townsend, (Mark) Hughes, (Glenn) Hoddle, (Ruud) Gullit, (Gianfranco) Zola, (Gianluca) Vialli etc so I couldn’t possibly name one, sorry!”
What were your feelings upon leaving Chelsea for Bristol Rovers in 1998?
"Leaving Chelsea to go to Bristol Rovers was really tough as I’d been at the club a long, long time.”
What would you say was the biggest challenge of your football career?
"The biggest challenge was coming back from my broken leg and trying to regain full fitness.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A, be on the look out for more soon!