The Transfer Record: Lee Philpott
Born in Barnet, Lee was an apprentice at Peterborough United, becoming a professional there in July 1998.
In May 1989 he moved to Cambridge United and in his three seasons at the Abbey Stadium, playing alongside future Leicester City players Steve Claridge and Dion Dublin, Lee was a key member of John Beck’s side which was promoted from the ‘old’ Fourth Division to the brink of the Premier League, reaching the Play off semi-final, only to be defeated by Leicester City in May 1992.
Speculation that Lee would sign for Leicester City proved to be true Brian Little brought him to Filbert Street six months later.
Lee was a regular in the Leicester City side which reached the Play-Off Final against Glenn Hoddle’s Swindon Town for a place in the Premier League. Despite his side losing 4-3, Lee set up two of the goals and was voted Man of the Match in some quarters.
The following year, Leicester bounced back for a third successive Play-Off Final. Although he didn’t play at Wembley, the 2-1 victory over Derby County finally secured promotion to the Premier League.
Little left for Aston Villa in November 1994. Lee’s s appearances under Mark McGhee were limited as the new manager wanted to play Mike Whitlow at left wing-back and move Lee to midfield which restricted his natural game.
Within three months of Martin O’Neill’s arrival in December 1995, Lee moved to Blackpool helping them to reach the third tier play-offs. He transferred to Lincoln City in July 1998, before rejoining Little at Hull City in July 2000.
Despite his new club being in administration for part of that season, Lee helped the Tigers to a fourth tier play-off semi-final before losing to Leyton Orient.
Frustrated by an Achilles injury for the following two seasons Lee left Hull in July 2003 and spent a year at Steve Claridge’s Weymouth before becoming player-manager at Harrogate in November 2004 for three years.
In 2008, he became a licensed football agent and is now director of his company, LPM Football Agents.