Luton – Former Hatter Announces Retirement From The Game At A Young Age

Yesterday, (Wednesday), news broke that a former Hatter had been forced, due to injury, to hang up his boots.

The news, broken by several media sources, including The BBC confirmed that Ollie Lee, suffering from psoriatic arthritis and Raynaud’s condition, had hung up his boots at the age of just 31.

Ollie Lee, during his career, made 363 appearances, scoring 13 goals during a career that spanned 13 years.

Although Ollie played for a variety of clubs, as can be seen in his fact file below, made more league appearances for Luton than he did any other club.

Signed by Luton Town, in August 2015, Ollie was only offered a short term contract which included performance-based options. He must have done okay as he was to remain on the books until 2018.

During his time at Kenilworth Road, Ollie went on to make 105 league appearances, scoring on 10 occasions, helping the Hatters win promotion to League One in the 2017/2018 season.

He may have only scored 10 league goals but one of thing was, I think you’ll agree, something very special and something I’ve not witnessed, from a Luton player, since.

On 18-November, Luton beat Cambridge United 7-0, with Ollie scoring a goal from inside his own half, it was that good it won the Mitre Goal of the Season at the 2018 EFL awards.

A goal that can be seen below:

courtesy of the Official Site

Ollie left Kenilworth Road in May 2018.

Looking into the medical conditions that led to his decision to hang up his books, it is easy to see why he was forced into retirement.

Psoriatic arthritis is a skin condition that affects joints causing them to become swollen, stiff and painful whilst Raynaud’s condition affect blood circulation, causing pain, numbness and mobility difficulties.

I’m sure you’ll join me in thanking Ollie Lee for his contribution to the Hatters cause and wish him well for the future.

Ollie Lee – Mini Fact File

Name – Oliver Robert Lee

Date of Birth – 11-July-1991

Place of Birth – Hornchurch, England

Height – 5 feet 11 inches

Position – Midfielder

Youth Career – West Ham United

Career – West Ham United, Dagenham & Redbridge (loan), Gillingham (loan), Barnet, Birmingham City (loan), Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle (loan), Luton Town, Heart of Midlothian, Gillingham (loan), Gillingham

COYH’s

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