Born in 1971 in the West Midlands and growing up as a fan of Aston Villa, the writing on the wall proved that Lee Sharpe has always been in a prime position to become a professional football. While retired for more than 20 years, Sharpe’s sense of understanding football is as keen as ever, proving that a natural footballer will always have an innate connection to the sport that defined their professional career.
As a player, Lee Sharpe was a talented left-winger whose youth career began with Devon’s own Torquay United. Following a promising start at his first professional club, Sharpe made a £200,000 move to Old Trafford, solidifying his ties with a legendary club starting in 1988. As a result, he was English football transition to the Premier League era as a member of one of the country’s most successful clubs.
His career at United saw him compete for a starting position with the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and John Barnes. As a result, Sharpe displayed versatility and resilience, playing on the other wing or even dropping down to left-back when called upon. By the time Lee Sharpe turned 25, he was already a veteran of 8 years at Old Trafford. His stint in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad saw him rack up 265 appearances, scoring over 30 goals and capturing 8 caps for the Three Lions in the early 1990s.
In the 1996 summer transfer window, Sharpe made a £4.5 million move to Leeds, where injuries started to hamper him over the course of the following years, including during a short loan stint at Sampdoria. Sharpe’s last foray into Premier League football saw him help Bradford City ascend to the top flight and survive there. Starting in 2002, his carer saw him join several other clubs in England, including Portsmouth, Exeter City, and Garforth Town, coupled with a brief stay in Iceland with Grindavik.
Safe to say, Lee Sharpe’s experience at multiple levels of the English football scene, his peak at the top of the Premier League, trophy cabinet, and subsequent punditry provide him with invaluable expertise about football. His understanding of the game and his experiences as a professional make his input invaluable to BetBrain’s readers and a distinguished contributor.