Gordon Lee (footballer)

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.

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: Peter Reid, 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.

Preceded by: Stanley Matthews	Port Vale F.C. Manager 1968-1974	Succeeded by: Roy Sproson
Preceded by: Ken Furphy	Blackburn Rovers F.C. Manager 1974-1975	Succeeded by: Jim Smith
Preceded by: Joe Harvey	Newcastle United F.C. Manager 1975-1977	Succeeded by: Richard Dinnis
Preceded by: Billy Bingham	Everton F.C. Manager 1977-1981	Succeeded by: Howard Kendall
Preceded by: Tommy Docherty	Preston North End F.C. Manager 1981-1984	Succeeded by: Alan Kelly
Preceded by: David Pleat	Leicester City F.C. Manager 1990	Succeeded by: Brian Little