Richard Anthony Lee (born 5 October 1982 in
Oxford) is an
English footballer. He is a
goalkeeper and currently plays for
Brentford.
Playing career
Lee came through Watford's academy, and became second choice goalkeeper after
Ray Lewington's appointment as manager at the beginning of the
2002–03 season. He made his debut in February 2003 against
Preston North End, after first choice
Alec Chamberlain was rested before an
FA Cup quarter final. He went on to make four more appearances that season.
At the beginning of the
2003–04 season it seemed like Lee may become Watford's first-choice goalkeeper, after he started many of the club's pre-season games. However he started the season on the bench and in a training session he broke his arm, and was out injured for a period of months. By the time of his return, loanee
Lenny Pidgeley had established himself in the side, with Chamberlain as his deputy.
For the
2004–05 season Lee became Watford's first-choice goalkeeper, although he was injured for Watford's League Cup semi-final against
Liverpool.
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd's decision to loan Lee to
Blackburn Rovers for the
2005–06 season was met with questions from many fans. Lee spent the season as third choice goalkeeper behind
Brad Friedel and
Peter Enckelman. Lee returned to Watford following the conclusion of the loan deal, with both clubs unable to agree upon a transfer fee.
On his return to Watford, Lee spent most of the
2006–07 Premier League season as backup to...
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