17 May 2012
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Doncaster Rovers

Lee-thal defender makes the trophy's dream team

If there is one question that the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy always struggles to answer, it is: “Which of the five finals was the best.”

June 11

With MK Dons creating their own piece of history in 2007/08, Luton Town defying the odds in 2009/10 and Southampton dazzling with their record equaling win in 2010/11, it is almost impossible to say.

Then there was the first ever final between Doncaster Rovers and Bristol Rovers in 2006/07.

It was the only one of the five to take place at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and in some ways, the original and best!

On a glorious afternoon in the sunshine, few games could capture the essence of the competition quite like this one.

As we induct our fourth player into our ‘Team of Five Finals’ we decided to revisit that extraordinary game, which eventually finished 3-2 to Doncaster in extra-time.

Featuring some stoic defending and headline grabbing goalscoring, we are delighted to welcome Graeme Lee into the first of our centre back berths.

Graeme Lee (Doncaster Rovers)

Every team needs a hero, and Graeme Lee was certainly that in the first ever Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.

Lee’s name will forever be remembered by Donny fans after netting the winning goal in extra time with a thumping extra-time header.

Some might call it sentiment, but we call it magnificent and one of the many highlights of a thrilling game against Bristol Rovers – the only Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final to take place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Born in Middleborough, Lee started his career at Hartlepool United, notching up almost 300 appearances at centre back and helping the club secure promotion to the Second Division. Lee also played as a striker for Hartlepool, scoring 20 goals for the club in total.

In 2003, he was snapped up by former boss Chris Turner for Sheffield Wednesday. He made 37 appearances for Wednesday and scored five goals in his first season and took up the captain's arm band when Dean Smith was injured, leading to a fans' player of the season award.

Lee started the 2004/05 season in the same vein as he ended the last. Although dogged by injuries at the tail end of the season he was voted defender of the year by fans of the club.

Lee signed for Doncaster Rovers from Sheffield Wednesday for £50,000 in 2005.

Doncaster Rovers’ chairman John Ryan will certainly never forget Graeme’s contribution in the 2006/07 trophy final.

“We will all remember Graeme’s goal. It was an extraordinary game. The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is a great competition and was a fabulous springboard for us for sure.”

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