GRAEME LEE FACTFILE

Born: Middlesbrough, 1978 (Age 38) 1995-2003

A centre-half and occasional striker, Lee made his Hartlepool debut in September 1995, aged 17, and went on to score 20 goals in almost 300 appearances for the club, winning promotion to Division Two (now League One) in 2002.

2003-06

Signed by Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer in June 2003, Lee won the fans’ player of the year award in his first season and was an integral part side of the promoted to the Championship under Paul Sturrock in 2005. After five goals in 67 games – several as captain – Lee fell out of favour at the higher level and made a £50,000 switch to Doncaster in 2006.

2006-08

A successful first season culminated in skipper Lee scoring the winner as Donny beat Bristol City 3-2 to win the Football League Trophy. However, the 2007-08 campaign was wrecked by injury and, after brief loan spells at Shrewsbury and Hartlepool, Lee joined Bradford on a free transfer in 2008.

2008-13

After two goals in 44 games for the League Two Bantams, Lee joined Notts County and was part of the side promoted to League One in 2009-10. A further season at Meadow Lane brought his total to 50 appearances for the Magpies, before a return to his native North East with Darlington in 2011. After two seasons with the Quakers, Lee retired, aged 35.

2013-present

After working as a coach at Darlington, then as a scout and part-time academy coach at Middlesbrough, Lee became assistant manager of the Teessiders’ Under-21 side. He currently coaches the club’s Under-23s.