Lee Worgan

Lee Worgan
Worgan playing for Maidstone United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Lee John Worgan
Date of birth (1983-12-01) 1 December 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Eastbourne, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Welling United (player-goalkeeping coach)
Youth career
Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Wimbledon 3 (0)
2002–2003 → Aylesbury United (loan) 20 (0)
2004 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2 (0)
2004–2005 Rushden & Diamonds 7 (0)
2005–2006 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2006 → Merthyr Tydfil (loan) 7 (0)
2006 Eastbourne Borough 0 (0)
2006–2008 Hastings United 89 (0)
2008–2013 Tonbridge Angels 238 (0)
2013–2018 Maidstone United 243 (0)
2018–2020 Dover Athletic 34 (0)
2020–2021 Chelmsford City 18 (0)
2021 Dorking Wanderers 5 (0)
2021–2023 Eastbourne Borough 77 (0)
2023 Welling United 0 (0)
Total 743 (0)
International career
2001 Wales U19 2 (0)
2004–2005 Wales U21[1] 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lee John Worgan (born 1 December 1983) is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Early career

Worgan began his career by coming through the youth ranks at Wimbledon and was one of a few players to stay with the squad during the move to become Milton Keynes Dons. However, he never managed to establish himself there. He spent two weeks on loan at Wycombe Wanderers during the 2003–04 season when they suffered a goalkeeper injury crisis with Steve Williams, Frank Talia, and Tom Gott all out injured.[2]

In August 2004, he joined Rushden & Diamonds[3] on a free transfer but again failed to establish himself, and at the end of the year, he was released[4] and was signed by Cardiff City on another free transfer. He did not make a league appearance for Cardiff but did play in the FAW Premier Cup on one occasion. He was released by Cardiff at the end of the 2005–06 season[5] after having spent some of the season on loan at Merthyr Tydfil.

Since then, he has played for Eastbourne Borough. In October 2006, he signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Hastings United, making his debut in a 2–1 win over Croydon Athletic in the FA Trophy.[6] In his first year, after helping the side to promotion, he was unanimously voted the Supporters' Club player of the year[citation needed] and was quickly offered a one-year extension to his contract.

Tonbridge Angels

In May 2008, he signed for Tonbridge Angels. He received a red card on his competitive debut for Tonbridge against Wealdstone.[7]

In March 2011, he won the 'Sells Goalkeeping Academy Good Hands' award for the best defensive record in the Isthmian League Premier Division that month, conceding three goals in six games.[8]

Worgan was named Tonbridge Angels player of the year for the 2010/11 season,[9] with performances against Bury Town and Wealdstone particularly impressing fans.[10]

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Worgan was named in the Conference South team of the year with performances against Dover, Salisbury, Hayes and Yeading, particularly impressing managers and fans alike. Still, after five years at Tonbridge, more than 200 appearances in all competitions, and one promotion, Worgan announced that he was leaving the club.[11]

Maidstone United

On 15 May 2013, Worgan joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Maidstone United. The stopper cited the size of the club and its infrastructure as his reasons for the move.[12] He swept up the club's Player of the Season awards in his debut season, receiving the accolade from supporters, teammates, and the manager.

He was a pivotal part of the side that won promotion to the National League South in 2014-15 and made his 100th consecutive league appearance for the club on 5 September 2015 in the 0 – 0 draw away at Gosport Borough. Following the departure of Steve Watt, Worgan was made club captain at the Gallagher Stadium.

Worgan was once again a vital cog in the Stones machine that won an unlikely promotion to the National League at the climax of the 2015–16 season, with the goalkeeper going down in club folklore for his promotion-winning penalty save from Danny Kedwell in the playoff final against Ebbsfleet United. The promotion meant the club had gone up three times in 4 years, and it was Worgan's second consecutive promotion with the club.[13]

During the 2016–17 season, Worgan's first ever in the top tier of non-league football, he made his 150th consecutive league appearance for the Maidstone against Gateshead in October 2016.[14]

Dover Athletic

On 29 October 2018, Worgan joined Kent rivals Dover Athletic on a 2+1⁄2-year deal that would also see him take up a coaching role.[15] He made his debut for the club in a 2–2 home draw with Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Trophy first round.[16]

On 12 August 2020, Worgan had his contract terminated by mutual consent in order to focus on a full-time career in teaching.[17]

Chelmsford City

On 13 August 2020, Worgan stepped down a division, signing for Chelmsford City.[18] Following the culmination of the 2020–21 National League South season, Worgan departed Chelmsford.[19]

Dorking Wanderers

In May 2021, Worgan joined National League South side Dorking Wanderers.[20] After making just 5 appearances for the Wanderers, Dorking mutually agreed to terminate Worgan's contract for personal reasons.[21]

Eastbourne Borough

On 9 September 2021, Worgan returned to Eastbourne Borough.[22] He made his long-awaited debut for Eastbourne in a National League South match against Hemel Hempstead, having never made an appearance in his first spell with the club.[23]

Welling United

On 19 June 2023, Worgan signed for Welling United in a player-goalkeeping coach capacity.[24] In October 2023, Worgan announced his retirement.[25]

International career

Worgan has played for Wales through most youth levels and was a regular in the Wales U21 team for several years.[26]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 April 2023 [a]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Wimbledon 2002–03[27] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04[27] First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Aylesbury United (loan) 2002–03[27] Isthmian League
Premier Division 		20 0 0 0 — 12[b] 0 32 0
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2003–04[27] Second Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Rushden & Diamonds 2004–05[27] League Two 7 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 8 0
Cardiff City 2005–06[27] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 1 0
Eastbourne Borough 2006–07[27] Conference South 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Hastings United 2006–07[27] Isthmian League
Division One South 		41 0 0 0 — 0 0 41 0
Tonbridge Angels 2011–12[28] Conference South 42 0 1 0 — 0 0 43 0
2012–13[28] Conference South 39 0 0 0 — 3[e] 0 42 0
Total 81 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 85 0
Maidstone United 2013–14[29] Isthmian League
Premier Division 		46 0 2 0 — 6[f] 0 54 0
2014–15[30] Isthmian League
Premier Division 		46 0 7 0 — 2[e] 0 55 0
2015–16[28] National League South 42 0 4 0 — 6[g] 0 52 0
2016–17[28] National League 46 0 3 0 — 3[h] 0 52 0
2017–18[28] National League 46 0 4 0 — 7[i] 0 57 0
2018–19[28] National League 17 0 1 0 — 0 0 18 0
Total 243 0 21 0 0 0 24 0 288 0
Dover Athletic 2018–19[28] National League 10 0 0 0 — 2[e] 0 12 0
2019–20[28] National League 24 0 1 0 — 0 0 25 0
Total 34 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 37 0
Chelmsford City 2020–21[28] National League South 16 0 1 0 — 1[e] 0 18 0
Dorking Wanderers 2021–22[28] National League South 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 5 0
Eastbourne Borough 2021–22[28] National League South 33 0 3 0 — 3[j] 0 39 0
2022–23[28] National League South 44 0 3 0 — 2[e] 0 49 0
Total 77 0 6 0 0 0 5 0 88 0
Career total 529 0 30 0 0 0 49 0 608 0
  1. ^ Statistics for 2005/06 loan at Merthyr Tydfil, 2007/08 at Hastings United and, 2008/09 and 2009/10 at Tonbridge Angels are missing due to a lack of sources
  2. ^ Six appearances in FA Trophy, four appearances in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, two appearances in Isthmian League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Maunsell Cup
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in FAW Premier Cup
  5. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  6. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances in Isthmian League Cup
  7. ^ Three appearances in National League South play-offs, two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Isthmian League Charity Shield
  8. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Kent Senior Cup
  9. ^ Four appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances in Kent Senior Cup
  10. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League South play-offs

References

  1. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 980. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  2. ^ "Adams brings in keeper". BBC Sport. 13 April 2004. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Diamonds snap up Worgan". BBC Sport. 3 August 2004. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  4. ^ "Hunter starts Rushden clear-out". BBC Sport. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  5. ^ "Veteran Cox released by Cardiff". BBC Sport. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  6. ^ "Hastings United 2–1 Croydon Athletic". Hastings United official website. 7 October 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2009. [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "10 Man Angels hold out". Kent and Sussex Courier. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  8. ^ "Lee Worgan – Safe Hands Award". Tonbridge Angels F.C. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Tonbridge Angels FC".
  10. ^ "Login".
  11. ^ Lee Worgan [@LeeWorgan] (12 May 2013). "Had a fantastic 5 years at Tonbridge, not an easy decision but its time for me to move on got nothing but for love for everyone at the club" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Goalkeeper Lee Worgan joins Maidstone United | Maidstone United Football Club". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Stones win thriller on spot-kicks". 14 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Login • Instagram". Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  15. ^ "GOALKEEPER JOINS WHITES". doverathletic.com. 29 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Dover Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville". doverathletic.com. 15 December 2018.
  17. ^ "WORGAN SAYS FAREWELL". doverathletic.com. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Chelmsford City's New Number 1". Chelmsford City F.C. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Lee Worgan to depart the Clarets". Chelmsford City F.C. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Former Maidstone and Dover keeper says he's a perfect fit for Dorking Wanderers". Get Surrey Live. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  21. ^ "First Team Squad Update". Dorking Wanderers. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Worgan Joins The Sports". Eastbourne Borough. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Oyinsan Rescues a Point for The Sports". Eastbourne Borough. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Wings secure experienced stopper Lee Worgan". wellingunited.com. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Former Tonbridge Angels, Maidstone United and Dover Athletic goalkeeper Lee Worgan retires, aged 39". Kent Online. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Hodges names U-21 squad". BBC Sport. 15 April 2004. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "Lee Worgan – Aylesbury United". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. 19 October 2021.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "L. Worgan – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. 17 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Maidstone United – Appearances – Lee Worgan – 2013-2014". footballwebpages.co.uk. 18 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Maidstone United – Appearances – Lee Worgan – 2014-2015". footballwebpages.co.uk. 18 October 2021.
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