Lee Frecklington
Frecklington playing for Peterborough United
Personal information
Full name Lee Craig Frecklington[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-08) 8 September 1985
Place of birth Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2002–2003 Lincoln City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2009 Lincoln City 126 (21)
2003–2004 → Lincoln United (loan) 1 (0)
2005–2006 → Stamford (loan) 11 (1)
2009 → Peterborough United (loan) 7 (0)
2009–2013 Peterborough United 86 (8)
2012–2013 → Rotherham United (loan) 13 (2)
2013–2018 Rotherham United 157 (26)
2018–2020 Lincoln City 43 (7)
2021 Frickley Athletic 5 (1)
Total 448 (66)
International career
2006 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 08:42, 4 May 2019 (UTC)

Lee Craig Frecklington (born 8 September 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Frecklington's came through the youth academy at home town club Lincoln City, he spent time on loan with Lincoln United and Stamford before going on to make 127 league appearances, scoring 21 goals. He was part of the Imps team that missed out on promotion to League One during the 2005–06 season. In 2009 he joined Peterborough United, later moving to Rotherham United in 2013 where he scored 26 times in 157 appearances, twice being promoted to the EFL Championship. He returned to Lincoln in 2017 and won the EFL Trophy and the 2019 League Two title. He retired in October 2021 after a brief spell with Non-League side Frickley Athletic. In 2006 he was capped by the Republic of Ireland B team.

Club career

Lincoln City

Born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Frecklington made his way through Lincoln City's Centre of Excellence. He was rewarded with a scholarship place in the summer of 2002, where he was guided by former Lincoln Head Coach John Schofield. Frecklington's ability has long been noted and during his schooldays he undertook trials with both Norwich City and Leeds United.[3]

He made rapid progress in Lincoln's youth set-up and in the 2003–04 season, the second year of his scholarship, moved towards the first team first impressing against Manchester City in a friendly game and then making his debut in the Football League Trophy against Telford United in October 2003. To further his development he joined Lincoln United on work experience in January 2004. His debut for United, against Workington on 17 January, was memorable as it was abandoned due to injury to the referee.

He continued his progression in the final season of his scholarship, making his Football League debut as a substitute in the game at Rochdale on 12 February 2005 and it was no surprise that he was handed a one-year professional contract by then manager Keith Alexander.

In his first season as a professional, Frecklington did not initially make the first team squad and in September 2005 he was loaned to Stamford in the Southern League Division One East to gain further experience, remaining until Lincoln recalled him in December 2005. While at Stamford he played alongside his uncle David Frecklington who had been an apprentice at Lincoln City in the mid-1990s. Upon his return to Sincil Bank he became a regular presence on the substitutes bench and on 4 February 2006 stepped off the bench to score his first league goal in the game at Stockport. His reward was his first league start the following week at home to Torquay United. Always impressing, he made 18 league appearances in the second half of the season though only three of these were starts.

In the 2006–07 season, however, he featured heavily in a very pivotal role towards Lincoln's unsuccessful push for promotion to League One, already boasting a number of exceptional performances. Frecklington was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year for the 2006–07 season.[4]

Peterborough United

Frecklington signed on an initial three-month loan deal with rivals Peterborough United on 6 February 2009. He made the move permanent on 15 May 2009.[5] Frecklington scored his first Peterborough goal in a League Cup tie at Wycombe on 11 August 2009. On 17 August 2011, he scored in the 72nd minute against Millwall, the game finished 2–2 to earn Peterborough a point after being 2–0 down at The Den. Frecklington came on as a triple substitution on 3 December, when Peterborough were losing 3–0 with half an hour left to play, at home to Barnsley. He made an impact on the game and scored to pull it back to 3–3. However, despite Peterborough's effort, Barnsley went on to win 4–3 with a late goal. On 19 October 2012 Frecklington joined Rotherham United on an initial one-month loan.[6]

Rotherham United

On 2 January 2013 following a successful loan spell, Frecklington signed for Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee on a two and half-year contract. Millers boss Steve Evans said "The competition to sign him has been fierce, but... Lee made it clear that his first choice was Rotherham."[7] He helped Rotherham to second place in League Two which meant promotion in his first season at Rotherham, his personal highlight was scoring 'the millers' last goal of the season in added time to send Rotherham up, relegating Aldershot Town in the process.[8] On the first day of the 2013–14 Football League One season Frecklington scored a brace as Rotherham came from 3–1 down to draw 3–3 against Crewe,[9] then 3 days later he scored the winner against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–1 victory in the League Cup. Frecklington's next goal came in a 3–2 home win against Oldham Athletic. Lee finished the season with 13 goals with 10 coming in the league. He scored in second leg of Rotherham's 4–2 aggregate victory over Preston in the playoff semi-final and despite him missing a penalty Rotherham won the 2014 League One Playoff Final against Leyton Orient on penalties to seal back to back promotions to the Football League Championship.

On 3 September 2015, Rotherham confirmed that Frecklington had been appointed new club captain, replacing former Millers skipper Greg Halford.[10] Lee played a big part in helping Rotherham to two consecutive 21st-place finishes, hence surviving relegation twice but only played 22 games of the 2016–17 Championship due to injury as Rotherham finished last and were relegated back to Football League One.

Return to Lincoln City

On 11 January 2018, Rotherham confirmed the departure of Frecklington, who returned to his city of birth, signing for Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.[11] He marked his return with a goal, equalising in a 2–2 derby day draw with Notts County.[12] Frecklington was made club captain following the departure of Luke Waterfall in August 2018.[13] On 28 May 2020, it was announced Frecklington will leave the club for a second time at the end of his current contract.[14]

Frickley Athletic

On 13 April 2021, Frickley Athletic announced that Frecklington had agreed to sign for the club, which is currently managed by his uncle Dave Frecklington, for the 2021–22 season.[15] In the first game of the season, Frecklington scored a penalty to ensure a 1–0 win at Hebburn Town.[16] After six appearances in all competitions for Frickley, and one goal, Frecklington retired due to an injury sustained while playing at the age of 36.[17]

International career

In November 2006, he was named in the Republic of Ireland B international squad for a friendly tie with Scotland. He qualified to play for Ireland due to fact that his maternal grandparents were born there.

Personal life

Despite growing up in Lincoln, Frecklington and his family are supporters of Leeds United.[18]

Career statistics

As of 26 March 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lincoln City 2003–04[19] Third Division 0000002[lower-alpha 1]020
2004–05[20] League Two 3000000030
2005–06[21] League Two 202000000202
2006–07[22] League Two 42811113[lower-alpha 2]04710
2007–08[23] League Two 34420101[lower-alpha 1]0384
2008–09[24] League Two 27720101[lower-alpha 1]0317
Total 1262151317014123
Stamford 2004–05[25] Southern Premier League 111000000111
Peterborough United (loan) 2008–09[23] League One 7000000070
Peterborough United 2009–10[26] Championship 352104200404
2010–11[27] League One 9100001[lower-alpha 1]0101
2011–12[28] Championship 375002000395
2012–13[29] Championship 5000100060
Total 8681072109510
Rotherham United (loan) 2012–13[29] League Two 132320000164
Rotherham United 2012–13[29] League Two 184110000194
2013–14[30] League One 391021216[lower-alpha 3]14913
2014–15[31] Championship 292101000312
2015–16[32] Championship 275002000295
2016–17[33] Championship 221000000221
2017–18[34] League One 194001000204
Total 1542642616117030
Lincoln City 2017–18[34] League Two 164——4[lower-alpha 4]0204
2018–19[35] League Two 27320001[lower-alpha 1]0303
2019–20[35] League One 0000001[lower-alpha 1]010
Total 437200060517
Career Total 4406515516420149175
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ 1 Appearance in Football League Trophy and 2 appearances in League Two play-offs
  3. ↑ 3 appearances in Football League Trophy and 3 appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ↑ 3 appearances in EFL Trophy and 1 appearance in League Two play-offs

Honours

Rotherham United

Lincoln City

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 70. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Lee Frecklington – Midfielder – First Team Squad – Lincoln City". weareimps.com. Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "Scholarships Start To Bear Fruit". Lincoln City F.C. 20 March 2002. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC Sport. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  5. ↑ "Frecklington completes Posh move". BBC Sport. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
  6. ↑ "Rotherham United sign Lee Frecklington on loan". BBC Sport. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Lee Frecklington joins Rotherham United from Posh". BBC Sport. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rotherham 2–0 Aldershot". BBC Sport. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Crewe 3–3 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "Millers appoint new skipper". Rotherham United. Rotherham United F.C. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "READ | Frecklington departs Millers". Rotherham United Official Site. 11 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Lincoln City 2–2 Notts County". BBC Sport. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  13. ↑ Franklin, Ashley (10 August 2018). "Lee Frecklington fulfils boyhood dream after being named new captain of Lincoln City". LincolnshireLive. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "Imps Announce Retained List". Lincoln City F.C. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "Ex-Lincoln and Rotherham man Frecklington joins Frickley". NonLeagueDaily.com. 13 April 2021.
  16. ↑ . 15 August 2021 https://frickleyathletic.co.uk/fixtures/8008/publisher=frickleyathletic.co.uk. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ "Frecklington hopes Frickley are back on track after third rebuild". 15 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "Leeds United 0 Rotherham United 1; Millers' victory is present for one Leeds fan". The Yorkshire Post. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  19. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  23. 1 2 "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Player Details: Season 2005–06 Lee Frecklington". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  29. 1 2 3 "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  35. 1 2 "Games played by Lee Frecklington in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  36. ↑ Maiden, Phil (25 May 2014). "Leyton Orient 2–2 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  37. ↑ Anderson, John, ed. (2013). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2013–2014. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 306–307. ISBN 978-0-7553-6413-8.
  38. ↑ "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
    "Lincoln: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  39. ↑ Scott, Ged (8 April 2018). "Lincoln City 1–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  40. ↑ "The PFA teams of the year: from Premier League to League Two". The Guardian. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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