ALAN LEE leaves Huddersfield Town with just one regret – not scoring more goals.
The popular striker is seeking his eighth club after being told by manager Mark Robins – a former teammate at Rotherham – he will not be offered a new contract.
Robins’ decision didn’t come as a surprise to the former Republic of Ireland international who has also played for Aston Villa, Burnley, Cardiff, Ipswich and Crystal Palace, who sold him to Town for a reported £400,000 in August 2010, when Lee Clark was at the helm.
Nor does the 34-year-old have any complaints, explaining: “The manager was up front with me as soon as he came into the club (in February).
“He indicated to me that I wasn’t in his plans going forward, and gave me the chance to go out on loan if I wanted.
“We had a good talk the day before we played Middlesbrough at home (in early March), and I told him I’d like to stay around for the remainder of the season and do what I could to help the club escape relegation.
“He said I would remain in contention for a place, and funnily enough the next night I came off the bench and scored the equaliser before Danny Ward grabbed that great winner.”
The 2-1 triumph at a foggy John Smith’s Stadium was Robins’ first home win at the helm and featured Lee’s 12th goal for Town, taking his overall tally in club football to 119.
The former Villa trainee, who has also had loan spells at Torquay, Port Vale and Norwich during a career spent entirely in England, also grabbed a memorable first Town goal in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Arsenal in January 2011, when Town gave the Gunners a real scare before falling to a 2-1 defeat courtesy of a late Cesc Fabregas penalty.
“That’s a great memory, but I would like to have scored more goals,” admitted Lee.
“Hopefully I’ve been able to contribute in other ways, both on and off the field, I’ve always given my best in every game I have played, and I’ve got to say I have loved my time at Huddersfield Town.
“It was great to play my part in getting us promoted (Lee came off the bench during the League I play-off final against Sheffield United at Wembley a year ago, when Town triumphed on penalties after a goalless draw).
“And for us to stay in the Championship this time was crucial, because now I can see the club going from strength to strength.
“You have to give credit to (chairman) Dean Hoyle for the way he has backed the push for success and also his investment in the new training ground.
“That was the one negative when I arrived here, but the situation has been addressed, and Canalside will be a real hub.”
Lee, who made 101 appearances (46 of them starts) for Town and plans to begin his coaching qualifications this summer, continued: “I’d like to say thanks to everybody at the club and especially the supporters, who are fantastic.
“They took to me in a wonderful way, and it means so much to me.”
