Lee Wilkie
Encyclopedia
Lee Wilkie is a former Scotland
international footballer
who played as a central defender. Wilkie spent the majority of his career in Dundee
, playing for both Dundee
and Dundee United
, and won 11 international caps between 2002 and 2003. Following a number of serious knee injuries from 2004 onwards, Wilkie announced his retirement from professional football in early April 2010.
for his entire professional career, having ended his contract with them in August 2006. During his time at Dens Park
, he had short loan spells in England
with Plymouth Argyle
and Notts County
, plus nine games with Falkirk
.
Wilkie suffered serious anterior cruciate ligament
injuries in January 2004 (ironically, against United) and in April 2005, which have left him without the ligament. Unable to receive an operation, he hoped to continue playing professional football by strengthening the knee muscles to compensate for the lack of ligament.
Despite interest from other clubs, Wilkie announced his intention to give first option on a contract to the team he has supported all his life, Dundee United. In October 2006, it was announced that Dundee United would offer Wilkie a 'pay as you play' contract, with Wilkie's signing confirmed on 10 October 2006.
In early-November 2006, new manager Craig Levein stated his intention to send Wilkie out on loan for "about a month", feeling he was "not ready to play first-team matches at this [SPL] level." Subsequently, in December 2006, Lee joined Scottish First Division side Ross County
on a one month loan deal.
Following his spell at Ross County, Wilkie returned to Dundee United and played in a 1–0 defeat to Kilmarnock
at Rugby Park on 20 January 2007. After the match, Wilkie cast doubt on his future at Tannadice by expressing doubts over his ability to play in the SPL due to his ongoing injury and fitness issues, and stated he will review his situation in the near future. Wilkie, like defensive colleagues David McCracken
and Lee Mair
, was to be out of contract at the end of 2006–07
, but signed a two-year deal in March 2007 to take him to summer 2009.
On 1 February 2008, following Barry Robson
's move to Celtic
, Wilkie was named captain; six weeks later, he led the team out at Hampden Park
for the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final
, where he was one of three players to miss a penalty in the defeat to Rangers
.
In January 2009 Wilkie signed a new three-year contract until May 2012 but announced his retirement on 3 April 2010 due to stustained knee problems.
. He was given his international debut by Berti Vogts
against South Africa
at the Reunification Cup in Hong Kong
in May 2002. His only international goal to date secured a 2–1 victory over Iceland
at Hampden
in March 2003. Wilkie's most recent international appearance was an unhappy experience as the Scots suffered a 6–0 defeat against the Netherlands
in November 2003 that ended their hopes of reaching the 2004 European Championships
. To date he is credited with 11 caps by the Scottish Football Association
, although only 10 of these were in full international matches.
Lee Wilkie was offered a return to international football in November 2007 through the Scotland B team
but declined to take part, claiming he needed more games to be ready to compete at international level. After playing regularly for the whole of season 2007–2008 and completing pre-season training for 2008–2009, without any serious injury problems, Wilkie announced his desire to work his way back into contention.
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
international footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a central defender. Wilkie spent the majority of his career in Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, playing for both Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
, and won 11 international caps between 2002 and 2003. Following a number of serious knee injuries from 2004 onwards, Wilkie announced his retirement from professional football in early April 2010.
Playing career
Wilkie had been with city rivals DundeeDundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
for his entire professional career, having ended his contract with them in August 2006. During his time at Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
, he had short loan spells in England
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...
with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
and Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, plus nine games with Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
.
Wilkie suffered serious anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
injuries in January 2004 (ironically, against United) and in April 2005, which have left him without the ligament. Unable to receive an operation, he hoped to continue playing professional football by strengthening the knee muscles to compensate for the lack of ligament.
Despite interest from other clubs, Wilkie announced his intention to give first option on a contract to the team he has supported all his life, Dundee United. In October 2006, it was announced that Dundee United would offer Wilkie a 'pay as you play' contract, with Wilkie's signing confirmed on 10 October 2006.
In early-November 2006, new manager Craig Levein stated his intention to send Wilkie out on loan for "about a month", feeling he was "not ready to play first-team matches at this [SPL] level." Subsequently, in December 2006, Lee joined Scottish First Division side Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
on a one month loan deal.
Following his spell at Ross County, Wilkie returned to Dundee United and played in a 1–0 defeat to Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
at Rugby Park on 20 January 2007. After the match, Wilkie cast doubt on his future at Tannadice by expressing doubts over his ability to play in the SPL due to his ongoing injury and fitness issues, and stated he will review his situation in the near future. Wilkie, like defensive colleagues David McCracken
David McCracken
David McCracken is a Scottish footballer who plays for Scottish side St.Johnstone. McCracken had played his whole career in central defence for Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League before leaving in May 2007 and signing for Wycombe Wanderers. He subsequently played for Milton Keynes Dons...
and Lee Mair
Lee Mair
Lee Mair is a Scottish footballer who currently plays in central defence for St Mirren.- Career :Mair spent most of his teenage years in the youth programme with Dundee. In order to gain valuable first team experience the player went on loan to East Fife in February 2001 and made his senior debut...
, was to be out of contract at the end of 2006–07
2006-07 in Scottish football
The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
, but signed a two-year deal in March 2007 to take him to summer 2009.
On 1 February 2008, following Barry Robson
Barry Robson
Barry Gordon George Robson is a Scottish footballer who plays for Middlesbrough in the Football League Championship and for the Scotland national squad...
's move to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Wilkie was named captain; six weeks later, he led the team out at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
for the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final
2008 Scottish League Cup Final
-Statistics:-References:...
, where he was one of three players to miss a penalty in the defeat to Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
In January 2009 Wilkie signed a new three-year contract until May 2012 but announced his retirement on 3 April 2010 due to stustained knee problems.
International career
Prior to his injury problems, Wilkie had been establishing himself as a regular in the Scottish national teamScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He was given his international debut by Berti Vogts
Berti Vogts
Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogts is a German former footballer. He played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He later managed Germany , Scotland and Nigeria...
against South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
at the Reunification Cup in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in May 2002. His only international goal to date secured a 2–1 victory over Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
at Hampden
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
in March 2003. Wilkie's most recent international appearance was an unhappy experience as the Scots suffered a 6–0 defeat against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in November 2003 that ended their hopes of reaching the 2004 European Championships
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
. To date he is credited with 11 caps by the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
, although only 10 of these were in full international matches.
Lee Wilkie was offered a return to international football in November 2007 through the Scotland B team
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
but declined to take part, claiming he needed more games to be ready to compete at international level. After playing regularly for the whole of season 2007–2008 and completing pre-season training for 2008–2009, without any serious injury problems, Wilkie announced his desire to work his way back into contention.
Career stats
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Others | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
1999-00 1999-00 in Scottish football The 1999–2000 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:-Scottish First Division:-Scottish Second Division:... |
23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| 2000–01 2000-01 in Scottish football The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
2001–02 2001-02 in Scottish football The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title.... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Falkirk Falkirk F.C. Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire... |
9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
| Dundee Dundee F.C. Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from... |
2002–03 2002-03 in Scottish football The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and... |
35 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2 |
| 2003–04 2003-04 in Scottish football The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA... |
21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in Scottish football The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman... |
12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in Scottish football The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill... |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| Dundee United Dundee United F.C. Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923... |
2006–07 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| Ross County Ross County F.C. Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Dundee United Dundee United F.C. Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923... |
2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
29 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 4 |
| Total | 187 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 220 | 12 | |
Dundee United
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
Runner-up: 1
-
- 2007–082007-08 in Scottish footballThe 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Player of the Month: 1
- Scottish Premier League
- October 2007
- 2007–08