Lee Roche

Lee Paul Roche (born 28 October 1980) is an English former professional footballer. He played as a right sided full-back but could also play on the right of midfield.

Lee Roche
Personal information
Full name Lee Paul Roche[1]
Date of birth (1980-10-28) 28 October 1980[1]
Place of birth Bolton, England[1]
Playing position(s) Defender[1]
Youth career
1997–1999 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Manchester United 1 (0)
2000–2001 → Wrexham (loan) 41 (0)
2003–2005 Burnley 54 (2)
2005–2007 Wrexham 45 (1)
2007–2011 Droylsden 58 (0)
Total 199 (3)
National team
2000 England U21 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Having attended Mytham County Primary School and Little Lever Specialist Language College in his school years, where he was a keen member of the school football squad, lived his early years in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Club career

Manchester United

Roche started his career as a trainee at Manchester United but made only one substitute appearance in the league against Newcastle United.[2] He also started a League Cup game against Arsenal[3] and a Champions League tie against Deportivo la Coruna.[4] During his time with the 'Red Devils' the young full-back was loaned out to Wrexham for the 2000–01 season, and was a key member of the team for the entire season, playing in 41 of the 46 league games.

Burnley

At the end of 2003 Roche was released on a free transfer from Manchester United.[5] Burnley were the team to take advantage of this situation with then manager Stan Ternent using his connections to the Old Trafford club to sign the promising youngster to a two-year deal.

In his first season, Roche wasn't a first team regular, despite scoring an outstanding 25-yard volley against Crystal Palace on his debut[6] which although credited to him was a clear own goal. Towards the end of the 2003–04 season though, he began to push the previous right back, Dean West out of the side. Unfortunately for Roche, Ternent's contract wasn't renewed and Steve Cotterill was appointed as the new manager at Turf Moor. Cotterill did not rate Roche as highly as Ternent had done, and brought in Mike Duff from Cheltenham Town instead. Roche still featured in the team fairly regularly though, but out of position on the right side of midfield where he looked much less comfortable. Roche scored his only other Burnley goal in a famous 2–1 victory at Elland Road against Leeds United.[7]

Wrexham

After his two-year contract with Burnley expired, Roche returned to play for Wrexham in the summer of 2005.[8] He scored on his second debut for the club against Boston United.[9] At the end of the 2006–07 season Roche was released by Wrexham after a disappointing season in which they just avoided relegation to the Football Conference.

Later career

He joined Droylsden in 2007, staying with the club until February 2011.

International career

Roche made one appearance for the England under-21s; he started the 2−2 draw with Finland during qualifying for the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[10]

References
  1. "Lee Roche". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  2. "Man Utd back on song". BBC. 23 November 2002. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  3. "Arsenal win battle of reserves". BBC. 5 November 2001. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  4. "Deportivo see off Man Utd". BBC. 18 March 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  5. Davies, Simon (3 June 2003). "Roche released". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 17 December 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  6. "Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace". BBC. 9 August 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  7. "Leeds 1-2 Burnley". BBC. 3 November 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  8. "Roche signing strengthens Wrexham". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 July 2005. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  9. "Wrexham 2-0 Boston Utd". BBC. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  10. "England's Matches the under 21's 2000−10". EnglandFootballOnline.com. England Footbal Online − Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
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