Lee Cattermole

Lee Cattermole

Footballer

AI

Lee Cattermole is an English footballer born in 1988.

He began his professional career at Middlesbrough F.C. from 2005 to 2008.

Cattermole has been playing for Sunderland A.F.C. since 2009.

Biography

Early Life

Lee Barry Cattermole, born in 1988, is an English former professional footballer known for his role as a central midfielder. He emerged from the youth academy of Middlesbrough, where he made a significant impact early in his career.

Career

Cattermole made his professional debut for Middlesbrough in a Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle United on January 2, 2006, earning the Man of the Match award at just 17 years old. He became the youngest captain in Middlesbrough's history at 18, showcasing his leadership qualities. Over his time with the club, he played in notable matches, including the 2006 UEFA Cup Final and scored his first league goal against Manchester City in April 2007. After leaving Middlesbrough in 2008, he had stints with Wigan Athletic and Sunderland, where he continued to develop his skills and reputation.

Cattermole also had a notable international career, representing England at various youth levels, including the under-21 team, where he scored his first international goal in 2009 during the U-21 European Championships.

Transitioning into coaching, Cattermole returned to Middlesbrough as the under-18s lead coach in January 2022. He later took on a role at Bristol Rovers and was appointed manager of Gateshead in June 2026, marking his entry into management.

Personal Life

Cattermole's personal life has seen its share of controversies, including a three-year pub ban in 2008 due to disorderly conduct and subsequent legal issues in 2011. Despite these challenges, he has maintained a focus on his football career and coaching aspirations, demonstrating resilience and commitment to the sport.

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Career & Clubs

Coaching career

On 20 January 2022, Cattermole returned to his former club Middlesbrough as under-18s lead coach. On 10 February 2023, it was announced that he would be departing his role at the end of the month. On 12 December 2024, Cattermole joined League One side Bristol Rovers as first-team coach with a focus on the development and implementation of set-pieces. Just four days after joining, on 16 December, he became caretaker manager alongside David Horseman following the sacking of Matt Taylor. Before the first match of his caretaker reign however, it was reported that Cattermole had left the club, which was officially confirmed following the appointment of Iñigo Calderón on 26 December. On 16 June 2026, Cattermole was appointed manager of National League club Gateshead on a two-year contract.

Club career

Middlesbrough

A product of the Middlesbrough youth academy, Cattermole made his debut in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle United on 2 January 2006, playing the full 90 minutes in a match that finished 2–2 in which the England youth international received the Man of the Match award. Manager Steve McClaren later hailed his performance stating, "When we needed people to stand up and be counted, it took a 17-year-old to bring everyone together." After a 4–0 home defeat to Aston Villa, he was captured on camera in tears and had to be consoled by captain Gareth Southgate. However, after this game the team went on to win seven out of their next eight games, advancing to the quarter-finals of both the FA and UEFA cups and defeating Premier League champions Chelsea 3–0, only their second league defeat of the season. Cattermole scored his first league goal for Middlesbrough on 2 April, in a 1–0 victory away at Manchester City, and played for Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final. Cattermole became Middlesbrough's youngest-ever captain aged 18 years and 47 days when he skippered the side in their 1–0 defeat away against Fulham on 7 May 2006. During the game, Middlesbrough's oldest-ever player, Colin Cooper, came on as a substitute and Cattermole sportingly gave the captain's armband, without instruction, to Cooper who was playing his last game before retirement. On 20 October 2006, Cattermole signed a new four-year deal to keep him at Middlesbrough until 2010.

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International career

Cattermole received his first call-up to the England under-21 squad for the October 2006 play-offs against Germany. Cattermole scored his first international goal and the first goal of the U-21 European Championships on 15 June 2009 against Finland. The goal was set up by Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. Cattermole went on to score his third in an England shirt when they came from behind to defeat Macedonia U21s in a 2–1 win with a goal in the 83rd minute sealing the victory after an impressive goal from Freddie Sears.

Club
Wigan Athletic F.C. (2008–2009)
Club
England national under-16 association football team (2003–2003)
Club
England national under-17 association football team (2004–2004)
Club
England national under-18 association football team (2005–2005)
Club
England national under-19 association football team (2006–2006)
League
Premier League
National team
England
Club
Sunderland A.F.C. (2009–)
Club
England national under-21 association football team (2007–2010)
Club
Middlesbrough F.C. (2005–2008)

Personal

Personal life

In December 2008, Cattermole was given a three-year pub ban across the borough of Stockton. He was added to the PubWatch blacklist of troublemakers after being arrested for disorder during a night out in Yarm. Police were called by door staff at about 11:40 pm and Cattermole was subsequently arrested. In March 2011, it was announced that Cattermole's ban would be extended to December 2012 after a unanimous vote by the members of PubWatch. Cattermole declined to comment on these matters. Following a night out with teammates, Cattermole was arrested on 6 December 2011 along with then teammate Nicklas Bendtner and charged with damaging five cars on Stowell Street in Newcastle, close to St James' Park. On 25 March 2012, the case at Newcastle Magistrates Court was adjourned to be brought back before the same court on 16 April 2012. Charges against Bendtner were subsequently dropped. Cattermole accepted a conditional caution and paid over £4,000 in damages.

Clubs

Played together with

Archive

Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Position

midfielder

Description

English footballer (born 1988)

Extract from Wikipedia

Lee Barry Cattermole is an English former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He was most recently manager of National League club Gateshead.

▸ Source: Wikipedia
All links
Official Website

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.

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