Lee joined Newcastle from West Ham after the London clubs relegation in 2003. The midfielder was combative both on and off the pitch, in fact, far too on occasions. Off the pitch he pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour following a fight in Newcastle. On the pitch he also had the odd issue, most notably a fight with team mate Kieron Dyer during a match at St James Park where both players were sent off. As a player he was pretty decent on his day, explaining his excellent time at Leeds and good spells at West Ham either side of his stay at Newcastle. He also made one full cap for England against Protugal. After dropping down to the Championship he eventually moved into his first full time management with Charlton Athletic in 2018.