LEE  ANDREWS

Height: 6'

Weight: 10st 11lbs

Defender

Lee is another to come through the youth system. Born in Carlisle on the 23rd of April 1983  he signed for the club on the 1st of August 2001. 

2001/02 saw Lee break through into the first team and claim his place as a regular.  Playing at centre back his speed and ability to tackle cleanly were obvious and after a particularly impressive display against York at home on the 18th of September, a 2-1 win, his place seemed assured. Things took a downward turn at Hartlepool away on the 29th of September. Hartlepool  proved an experienced physical side  and Carlisle were struggling to hold the 1-1 score line when on 60 minutes the ongoing battle between  Andrews and pool's Kevin Henderson boiled over. Both players received straight red cards, Tony Hopper was also to receive his marching orders in the 83rd minute and Carlisle lost the match 3-1. After serving  his suspension Lee was on the bench for the Oxford away game on the 23rd of October coming on for Rogers in the 65th minute, helping to hold on to a 1-1 draw. His only other  appearance from the bench came at home to Mansfield on the 10th of November, this time coming on for Hopper in the 71st minute in a game where Carlisle were a goal and a man down, after Dave Rogers had been sent off and lost the game 1-0. From  the Mansfield game until the end of the season Lee started and finished every game.

One of the pleasures of following Carlisle United has been to watch good young players break through and gain  in confidence and knowledge. In pre season friendlies we saw Lee as a young lad, very quick, very keen and anxious to impress. Through the season we saw him grow in confidence and awareness, as he learnt his craft.  Crucial tackles saved us in defence and his surging runs forward always looked  to create something.  Watching him play in the Cumberland cup final  at the end of the season we saw a player who had all the time he needed on the ball and was confident in his own ability. 

2002/03 turned into a disappointing season for Lee. At the start of the campaign Lee partnered Stu Whitehead in central defence before the popular defender moved on to Darlington. With the change in personnel Lee found it increasingly difficult to keep his place in the side. This season, with no reserve team, it has been particularly difficult for players on the side lines to keep match fitness and in February Lee went on a months loan to Rochdale where he played eight games. On his return he found himself back in the first team for the vital end of season games where his pace and elegant tackling proved to be an asset.

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