Lee Canoville
Encyclopedia
Leroy Paul "Lee" Canoville (born 14 March 1981 in Ealing
, London
) is an English
professional footballer, who plays as a defender
for Boston United
where he is also he clubs joint-caretaker manager. He has represented England at Under-16 level.
as an apprentice in the summer of 1997 from the FA School at Lilleshall, turning professional in August 2000. He mainly played for the Gunners' youth and reserve sides; his sole first-team appearance was in a 2–1 League Cup
defeat at Highbury
at the hands of Ipswich Town
on 1 November 2000, coming on as a second-half substitute. In further need of first-team experience he joined Northampton Town
on a month's loan on 25 January 2001, making his league début in a goalless draw at home to Peterborough United
two days later. He played only one further game for Northampton before returning to Highbury, and although attracting interest from Torquay manager Colin Lee
, remained there beyond transfer deadline day.
In April 2001 he went to Middlesbrough
on trial, but due to an injury crisis at Highbury was recalled by Arsène Wenger
. In the summer of 2001 it was clear that he did not fit into Wenger's plans for Arsenal, and was released. In July he was reported to be training at Watford
, with a view to impressing enough to earn a contract.
On 14 September 2001, he joined Torquay United
on non-contract terms, along with his former Arsenal team-mate Greg Lincoln
. His début for the Gulls came the following day in the 2–1 home win against Darlington
. Within a week he had impressed manager Roy McFarland
enough to earn himself a two year contract. He helped Torquay to promotion in the 2003–04 season, but was released after Torquay's relegation in 2005, joining Boston United
that June. He was voted player of the season in his first season at Boston.
He joined Shrewsbury Town on 31 January 2007, on a loan deal until the end of the 2006–07
season, when his Boston contract expired. His first appearance for the Shrews came in the 1–1 draw at Mansfield Town
on 3 February 2007; he was substituted when Shrewsbury led 1–0. He was released in May 2007, injuries ruling him out of the playoffs and hastening his departure, with an expected move to Milton Keynes Dons
on the cards.
He had a trial with Bournemouth
and on 24 July 2007, but signed for Notts County, in League Two and quickly became a regular in their side, but was released at the end of the season along with seven other players. Canoville joined Conference National
outfit Grays Athletic
on 1 September 2008. However, he failed to make an appearance for Grays Athletic and joined Halesowen Town
in October 2008.
In February 2009, Halesowen loaned Canoville to Gainsborough Trinity
for the remainder of the 2008–09 season. On 13 July, Canoville re-signed for Boston United.
On 22 March 2011, Canoville along with Jason Lee
was named as joint caretaker manager of Boston United.
, and his first cousin once removed is Paul Canoville
, formerly a winger with Chelsea
.
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer, who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
where he is also he clubs joint-caretaker manager. He has represented England at Under-16 level.
Career
Canoville joined ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
as an apprentice in the summer of 1997 from the FA School at Lilleshall, turning professional in August 2000. He mainly played for the Gunners' youth and reserve sides; his sole first-team appearance was in a 2–1 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
defeat at Highbury
Arsenal Stadium
Arsenal Stadium was a football stadium in Highbury, North London, which was the home ground of Arsenal Football Club between 6 September 1913 and 7 May 2006...
at the hands of Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on 1 November 2000, coming on as a second-half substitute. In further need of first-team experience he joined Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on a month's loan on 25 January 2001, making his league début in a goalless draw at home to Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
two days later. He played only one further game for Northampton before returning to Highbury, and although attracting interest from Torquay manager Colin Lee
Colin Lee
Colin Lee is an English football manager and former footballer. He is currently Chief Executive of League Two side Torquay United and President of Buckfastleigh Rangers Football & Social Club.-Playing career:...
, remained there beyond transfer deadline day.
In April 2001 he went to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on trial, but due to an injury crisis at Highbury was recalled by Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
. In the summer of 2001 it was clear that he did not fit into Wenger's plans for Arsenal, and was released. In July he was reported to be training at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, with a view to impressing enough to earn a contract.
On 14 September 2001, he joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on non-contract terms, along with his former Arsenal team-mate Greg Lincoln
Greg Lincoln
Greg Lincoln is an English former professional footballer. He represented England at Under-20 level. He was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.-Career:...
. His début for the Gulls came the following day in the 2–1 home win against Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. Within a week he had impressed manager Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
enough to earn himself a two year contract. He helped Torquay to promotion in the 2003–04 season, but was released after Torquay's relegation in 2005, joining Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
that June. He was voted player of the season in his first season at Boston.
He joined Shrewsbury Town on 31 January 2007, on a loan deal until the end of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, when his Boston contract expired. His first appearance for the Shrews came in the 1–1 draw at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
on 3 February 2007; he was substituted when Shrewsbury led 1–0. He was released in May 2007, injuries ruling him out of the playoffs and hastening his departure, with an expected move to Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
on the cards.
He had a trial with Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and on 24 July 2007, but signed for Notts County, in League Two and quickly became a regular in their side, but was released at the end of the season along with seven other players. Canoville joined Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
outfit Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
on 1 September 2008. However, he failed to make an appearance for Grays Athletic and joined Halesowen Town
Halesowen Town F.C.
Halesowen Town is an English association football club formed in 1873, since 2011 playing in the Southern League Division One South & West]]. The team is nicknamed "The Yeltz".-History:...
in October 2008.
In February 2009, Halesowen loaned Canoville to Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
for the remainder of the 2008–09 season. On 13 July, Canoville re-signed for Boston United.
On 22 March 2011, Canoville along with Jason Lee
Jason Lee (footballer)
Jason Lee is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Boston United. He is currently also the club's joint manager.He has previously played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest...
was named as joint caretaker manager of Boston United.
Personal life
Canoville's brother Dean was a professional with MillwallMillwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, and his first cousin once removed is Paul Canoville
Paul Canoville
Paul Canoville is an English former professional footballer, most notable for being the first ever black player to play for Chelsea.- Early career :...
, formerly a winger with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.