Lee Martin (footballer, born 1987)

For other people by the same name, see Lee Martin (disambiguation).
Lee Martin
Personal information
Full name Lee Robert Martin[1]
Date of birth (1987-02-09) 9 February 1987
Place of birth Taunton, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Winger
Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Gillingham
Youth career
000?–2003 Wimbledon
2003–2005 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2009 Manchester United 1 (0)
2006 → Royal Antwerp (loan) 17 (1)
2006 → Rangers (loan) 7 (0)
2007 → Stoke City (loan) 13 (1)
2007–2008 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 12 (2)
2008 → Sheffield United (loan) 6 (0)
2008 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 13 (1)
2009–2013 Ipswich Town 100 (6)
2010–2011 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 20 (2)
2013–2016 Millwall 61 (2)
2016 → Northampton Town (loan) 10 (0)
2016– Gillingham 0 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:47, 10 May 2016 (UTC).


Lee Robert Martin (born 9 February 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays for Gillingham. Martin is usually referred to as a winger, although he has stated that he prefers to play down the middle as either a central midfielder or supporting striker, a role he currently occupies.

Playing career

Manchester United

Martin began his career as a trainee with Wimbledon, where he caught the eye of many Premier League teams. Pursued by a number of other top clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, he signed for Manchester United on 17 December 2003, following a week-long trial in October 2003, during which time he made one appearance for the Manchester United Under-19s team. The compensation package United paid Wimbledon is estimated to be approximately £1 million, with £200k being paid up front, and the rest in instalments based on both his and Manchester United's performance.[2]

Over the remainder of the 2003–04 season, Martin made seven more appearances for United's various youth teams, and was even named as an unused substitute for the Reserves in January 2004. The following season, Martin began as a regular in the Under-18s, but he was soon promoted to the Reserve team, where he began to flourish, scoring goals as well as setting them up, including a hat-trick in one game against Bolton Wanderers Reserves. The 2005–06 season was even more auspicious for Martin; after being named on the bench for two UEFA Champions League group games, he finally made his first team debut in the League Cup against Barnet on 26 October 2005. He was substituted after 75 minutes, allowing Darron Gibson to make his own first team debut, but he was a constant threat to the Barnet goal.

Royal Antwerp (loan)

In January 2006, Martin joined United's feeder club, Belgian Second Division side Royal Antwerp in a loan deal until May 2006, to gain regular first team experience. During that short spell, he earned the Royal Antwerp Fans' Player of the Year award, and earned the fan-chosen Man of the Match award in five consecutive games. In the run-up to the 2006–07 season, Martin played in six of United's seven friendlies following their summer tour of South Africa. Their match against Celtic attracted the attention of Celtic's Glasgow rivals, Rangers, who sought to take him on loan for the first half of the season.

Rangers (loan)

Seen as not quite ready for the Premier League, Martin joined the Scottish club with a view to an extension of the loan to the end of the season.[3] After a succession of injuries he failed to establish himself and returned to Manchester United in December 2006, having made just 10 appearances.[4]

Stoke City (loan)

On 25 January 2007, he was farmed out on loan again, this time to Stoke City.[5] He scored his first senior goal in Stoke's 2–1 win against Southampton on 10 March 2007;[6] it was his only goal in his 14 appearances for the club.

Return to United

Martin returned to United for the 2007–08 season, and toured the Far East with the club in July 2007. He played in two of the four matches, and scored a spectacular goal against Chinese side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on 27 July 2007, before being replaced by Patrice Evra. He was again named as an unused substitute for the Community Shield against Chelsea on 5 August 2007. Had he played in the game, it would have been his third game in as many days, having played a total of 149 minutes over the previous two games.

On 26 September 2007, Martin started the League Cup Third Round match against Coventry City, but, with United 1–0 down at half-time, he was substituted, Fraizer Campbell his replacement. However, United conceded again and were knocked out of the cup.

Plymouth Argyle (loan)

On 5 October 2007, he joined Championship side Plymouth Argyle on a three-month loan deal, with Plymouth beating three other Championship clubs to his signature.[7] He scored his first Argyle goal in the 1–0 victory over Coventry City on 20 October 2007, something Sir Alex Ferguson would have wished he'd done in the League Cup the previous month.

Martin discussed an extension to his loan with Sir Alex Ferguson on 2 January, but it was decided that Martin would return to Manchester United at the end of the spell on 5 January.[8]

Sheffield United (loan)

However, on 10 January 2008, Sheffield United announced that they had managed to capture Martin on loan until the end of the season.[9] Martin made his debut for the Blades in a 2–0 away defeat to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday[10] but his loan spell was marred by a recurring knee injury[11][12] and he returned to Old Trafford having only played nine games in total for the Blades.

In Manchester United's 2008 pre-season tour of South Arica, Martin scored United's winner against Orlando Pirates in their 1–0 win in the Vodacom Challenge.

Nottingham Forest (loan)

On 13 August 2008, Martin joined Nottingham Forest on a one-month loan.[13] That evening, he made his first appearance for Forest in their League Cup clash against Morecambe. Forest won the match 4–0, but Martin was booked in the first half. Martin scored his first competitive goal for Forest on 23 August 2008, scoring the opening goal in a 3–2 win over Watford at the City Ground.[14] On 29 August 2008, Nottingham Forest announced an extension of the loan deal until 31 December 2008.[15]

Latter days at United

Upon returning from his loan, Martin was increasingly used by Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the Manchester United Reserve team as an attacking midfielder and makeshift striker,[16] scoring five goals in the latter half of the season. He was also named as a substitute for the first team's home match against Aston Villa on 5 April 2009, but did not take to the field.[17]

Martin made his first league start for Manchester United in the final match of the 2008–09 Premier League season at Hull City, as United rested key players for the Champions League Final.

Ipswich Town

Martin joined Ipswich Town on 6 July 2009 for an undisclosed fee thought to be around £1.5 million, signing a four-year contract with the club managed by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.[18] He made his debut for Ipswich in a friendly against Brentford on 15 July 2009, scoring a goal within eight minutes; Ipswich went on to win the game 3–1.[19] His first competitive start for Ipswich came on 9 August 2009, in a Championship game with Coventry[20] Martin scored his first competitive goal for Ipswich in a 3–3 draw away to Doncaster – it was his 8th appearance for the club. Martin was one of eight players made available for transfer by manager Roy Keane at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Charlton Athletic (loan)

On 6 August 2010, Martin joined League One club Charlton Athletic for the duration of the 2010–11 season.[21] He scored his first goal for the club in a Carling Cup match against Shrewsbury Town on 10 August 2010. He scored his only two league goals for Charlton in a 5–1 victory against Peterborough United at London Road. He was recalled by Ipswich on 18 January 2011.

Ipswich Town return

With Paul Jewell being appointed manager, he recalled Martin back from loan. Martin scored his second goal for the club on 6 August 2011 in the season's opening game at Bristol City. Martin has been a regular player under Paul Jewell and has made 26 appearances scoring 5 goals.[22] He was released by Mick McCarthy at the end of the 2012–13 season.[23]

Millwall

On 4 July 2013, Martin joined Championship club Millwall on a one-year contract.[24] He signed a two-year extension on 17 June 2014.[25] In January 2016 Martin went out on loan to Northampton Town.[26] He was released by Millwall at the end of the 2015–16 season.[27]

Gillingham

On 6 July 2016 he joined League One club Gillingham on a two-year contract.[28] He suffered a serious ankle injury in a pre-season friendly at the end of the month and early indications were that he would miss the entire season as a result.[29]

Career statistics

As of match played 7 May 2016[30]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United 2005–06 Premier League 0000100010
2006–07 Premier League 0000000000
2007–08 Premier League 0000100010
2008–09 Premier League 1000000010
Total 1000200030
Rangers (loan) 2006–07 Scottish Premier League 70002010100
Stoke City (loan) 2006–07 Championship 131100000141
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2007–08 Championship 122000000122
Sheffield United (loan) 2007–08 Championship 6030000090
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2008–09 Championship 131001000141
Ipswich Town 2009–10 Championship 161101000181
2010–11 Championship 160000000160
2011–12 Championship 345101000365
2012–13 Championship 340102000370
Total 10063040001076
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2012–13 League One 202001140253
Millwall 2013–14 Championship 261102000291
2014–15 Championship 271200000291
2015–16 League One 80101010110
Total 612403010692
Northampton Town (loan) 2015–16 League Two 100000000100
Career Total 243141101316026815

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. ↑ "Lee Martin". 4thegame.com. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  3. ↑ "Man Utd's Martin moves to Rangers". BBC Sport. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  4. ↑ "Old Trafford duo make Ibrox exit". BBC Sport. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  5. ↑ "Stoke sign Man Utd winger on loan". BBC Sport. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  6. ↑ "Stoke 2–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  7. ↑ "Plymouth wrap up Martin loan deal". BBC Sport. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  8. ↑ "LEE LOAN LATEST". pafc.co.uk. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
  9. ↑ "Blades Secure loan winger". Sheffield United F.C. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Sheff Wed 2–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  11. ↑ "Injury update". Sheffield United F.C. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  12. ↑ "Triple injury blow". Sheffield United F.C. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  13. ↑ "Forest complete Martin loan deal". BBC Sport. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  14. ↑ "Nott'm Forest 3–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  15. ↑ "Martin's Stay Extended". nottinghamforest.co.uk. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  16. ↑ "Reserves face champions". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  17. ↑ Hughes, Ian (5 April 2009). "Man Utd 3–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
  18. ↑ Bartram, Steve (6 July 2009). "Martin joins Keane's Ipswich". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  19. ↑ "Brentford 1 Town 3". itfc.co.uk. Ipswich Town FC. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  20. ↑ Coventry 2–1 Ipswich. Simply Blue. Retrieved 17 August 2009
  21. ↑ Wright, Matt (6 August 2010). "Martin agrees Valley move". cafc.co.uk. Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  22. ↑ "Bristol City 0-3 Ipswich". BBC News. 6 August 2011.
  23. ↑ "Ipswich Town: Michael Chopra & Jay Emmanuel-Thomas can leave". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Lee Martin: Millwall set to sign ex-Ipswich Town winger". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  25. ↑ "Lee Martin: Millwall winger signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "Lee Martin: Millwall winger joins Northampton Town on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  27. ↑ "Millwall: Seven released, new deals for Byron Webster and Joe Martin". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "GILLS MAKE DOUBLE SIGNING". Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  29. ↑ Cawdell, Luke (30 July 2016). "Gillingham's former Ipswich and Manchester United midfielder Lee Martin suffers ankle injury at Leyton Orient". Kent Messenger. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  30. ↑ "Lee Martin". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
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