Lee Sharpe

Lee Sharpe

  • Former England, Manchester United and Leeds Footballer
  • Football Speaker
  • Football Pundit

Lee Sharpe began his footballing career at Torquay United, and in his first season with them, after only 16 games, Manchester United noted his potential and swooped to sign him for £200,000, a record fee at the time for an YTS player.

He soon broke into the first team, initially playing out of position at left back before replacing Ralph Milne as left-winger in the 1990–91 season. He played a key part in United's success in the European Cup Winners' Cup that season, and he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal at Highbury in the League Cup with United eventually winning the game 6–2. Lee himself cites this as one of the best memories in his footballing career. During eight years at Old Trafford he played 265 games and scored 36 goals.

Despite his injury history, Leeds United signed him for £4.5 million in the summer of 1996, making him their record signing. However his time at Leeds was beset by further injuries. He was restricted to 26 Premiership appearances in 1996–97, scoring five goals, and then a pre-season knee injury ruled him out for the entire 1997–98 season after which he was unable to regain his place in the team.

In the autumn of 1998, he was loaned to Italian Serie A side Sampdoria until early 1999, and then in March went on loan to Bradford City helping in securing the club's promotion to the Premiership after 77 years outside the top division. He then joined Bradford on a permanent deal for a £250,000 fee during the summer and helped preserve the club's Premiership status in the 1999–2000 season.

In 2000–01, Lee lost his place in the Bradford team and just before Christmas went on loan to Division One Portsmouth. He returned to Bradford during the 2001–02 season and when his contract expired he was given a free transfer.

Following a brief trial stay with Grimsby Town he signed for Exeter City, and then followed this with a short spell at Grindavík FC in Iceland. Then in June 2003 he announced his retirement from professional football at the early age of 32.

After leaving the game Lee developed a career in television, especially in reality TV shows. His boundless charm and keen sense of humour coupled with a natural ability in front of the cameras have ensured that since his retirement from a very successful football career he is in demand as a guest, presenter, interviewee and celebrity contributor across all media platforms.

Television work has included the 2005 ITV television show Celebrity Wrestling, where he appeared as a competitor under the name "Sharpe Shooter". Although, he may be best known for appearing in Celebrity Love Island along with Abi Titmuss. He was a contestant in ITV's Dancing On Ice where he partnered Frankie Poultney, and made it through to round seven, and also starred in Dec's team on Ant versus Dec, on their Saturday Night Takeaway Show. More recently he appeared in the 2008 television series Superstars on Channel Five as a member of the winning team captained by Sir Steven Redgrave.

Lee now brings his fun outlook on life to the after dinner circuit with numerous stories from the world of football and television, about the characters and personalities he has worked with.

One of the biggest names in the British game during the nineties, Lee Sharpe is recognised by many as one of the finest players of his generation. He thrived under the management of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and kept the likes of Ryan Giggs in the shade for many years. At the time, his popularity with legions of fans was unparalleled. During his Manchester United career Lee Sharpe won eight England caps, three league titles, two FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup. He went on to play for Leeds United and Bradford City before retiring in 2004. Since his retirement, Lee has appeared on Score, Football Focus and Match of the Day 2 both as a live studio guest and as a features reporter. He was a celebrity contestant on Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Love Island, co-hosted Junior Gladiators and was a roving reporter on Footballers Wives. Lee has quickly established a reputation as a very good after dinner speaker. He brings his fun outlook on life to the after dinner circuit with numerous stories from the world of football and television, about the characters and personalities he has worked with.

To Book Lee Sharpe for your event please call a Prime Performers Booking Agent on 020 3500 3331 or email us at info@primeperformers.co.uk

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