Michael Lea

Michael Robert Lea (born 4 November 1987) is an English footballer. His regular position is at left-back, but he can also play at centre-back when required.

Michael Lea
Personal information
Full name Michael Robert Lea
Date of birth (1987-11-04) 4 November 1987
Place of birth Salford, England
Position(s) Left-back
Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Atherton Collieries
Youth career
2004–2007 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Manchester United 0 (0)
2007 → Royal Antwerp (loan) 15 (0)
2008–2009 Scunthorpe United 0 (0)
2009–2010 Chester City 0 (0)
2010 Hyde United 0 (0)
2010 Rochdale 0 (0)
2010 Hyde 2 (0)
2010–2014 Colwyn Bay 20 (0)
2014 Witton Albion 3 (0)
2014–2015 Marine 3 (0)
2015–2016 Colwyn Bay 0 (0)
2016 Warrington Town 0 (0)
2016– Atherton Collieries 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:24, 7 June 2015 (UTC)

Career

Early career

Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, Lea was brought up in Leigh in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. His 2005–06 season was marred by injury, and he was restricted to 13 appearances for the Under-18 team. In the 2006–07 season, he became a regular for the Manchester United Reserve team, making 21 appearances. His consistent form in the 2006–07 season led to a nomination for the Manchester United Reserve Player of the Year award, but he was beaten to the award by Kieran Lee.

Lea was sent out on loan to Belgian side Royal Antwerp for the first half of the 2007–08 season. He made his debut for the Belgians on 22 September 2007 against R.O.C. de Charleroi-Marchienne; the match finished as a 1–1 draw. He went on to make a further 14 appearances for "The Great Old" before returning to Manchester United at the end of 2007. Lea never played for the Manchester United first team, and on 27 June 2008, it was announced that he would be given a free transfer at the end of his contract on 30 June 2008.

Scunthorpe United

On 4 July 2008, Lea was given a trial at Scunthorpe United, with a view to a permanent deal as a replacement for Marcus Williams, who was involved in a protracted contract negotiation. Despite Williams signing a new contract, Scunthorpe retained their interest in signing Lea, playing him in two pre-season friendlies. Lea signed a one-year contract with the Iron on 25 July 2008, with the option to extend it for an extra year.[1]

Chester City

This option, however, was not taken up, he was subsequently released at the end of the season having only made three appearances for Scunthorpe. With Lea out of contract, he was free to sign for Chester City on 9 July 2009.[2] Lea made 19 league appearances for Chester before they were wound up and their Conference record was expunged in March 2010.[3][4]

Hyde United

This left Lea without a club, but a week later he signed for Conference North side Hyde United.

Rochdale

However, he left Hyde after a week in order to join Rochdale.[5]

Return to Hyde

On 9 July 2010, Lea rejoined Hyde after leaving them just four months earlier to join Rochdale. He rejoined Hyde after he ran out of contract at Rochdale without making a single appearance.[6]

Colwyn Bay

On 27 August 2010, it was announced that he had joined Colwyn Bay.[7]

Witton Albion

In June 2014, he signed for Northern Premier League team Witton Albion. He rejoined Colwyn Bay in January 2015 after a spell with Marine.

References
  1. "Lea signing completed". Scunthorpe United F.C. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  2. "Chester sign ex-Iron defender Lea". BBC Sport. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  3. "Chester City results erased from Blue Square Premier". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  4. "Chester City wound up in High Court". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  5. "In's & Out's [sic] at Ewen Fields". hydeunited.com. Hyde United FC. 24 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  6. "Michael Lea Returns to Hyde". Hyde FC. 9 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  7. "Ex-Manchester United reserve joins Colwyn Bay FC". Daily Post. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
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