Gordon Lee (footballer)

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Gordon Francis Lee (born 13 July 1934, Cannock, Staffordshire) was an English association footballer and football manager.

[edit] Playing career

Lee was a full-back who began at Hednesford Town and joined Aston Villa in October 1955. He was transferred to Shrewsbury Town in July 1966.

[edit] Management career

  • Port Vale (1968-1974) He succeeded Sir Stanley Matthews and gained promotion to the Third Division at the first attempt.
  • Blackburn Rovers (1974-1975) He led them to promotion from the Third Division.
  • Newcastle United (1975-1977) He led the team to the final of the League Cup in (1975-1976).
  • Everton (1977-1981) In his first season at Everton the team finished ninth and reached the League Cup Final and the FA Cup semi-finals. In the next seasons Everton finished third and fourth but the 1979-1980 season was deemed a failure. Lee brought in several players who were later to become successful: Kevin Ratcliffe, Graeme Sharp and Steve McMahon. Even though he was well respected by the players, Lee was sacked by Everton's chairman Philip Carter on May 6, 1981.
  • Preston North End (1981-1983)
  • Leicester City F.C. (1991). Despite only being caretaker manager of Leicester City for a brief period, Gordon Lee is fondly remembered for saving the club from relegation to the uncharted depths of the (old) Third Division following the disastrous tenure of David Pleat.