Goalkeeper and Gulls fan Harry, 16, on bench for Exeter City
Goalkeeper Harry Lee, who celebrated his 16th birthday last month - Credit: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Talented young goalkeeper Harry Lee is so highly rated by Exeter City that, at only 15, he has been on their League Two subs’ bench for the last three months.
Yet he is a passionate Torquay United fan and season ticket holder.
Exeter City keeper Harry Lee during the warm-up before the match between Grimsby Town and Exeter City at Blundell Park, Grimsby, on December 1. - Credit: Steve Bond/Pinnacle
Lee, who celebrated his 16th birthday three weeks ago, joined the Grecians when Torquay shut their Academy for a while in 2015.
He’s combined studies at Torquay Academy with training at City, and he’s made such good progress that he’s been named as reserve goalie for the last 16 matches.
Harry is already 6ft 2ins tall and still growing, and he has attracted the attention of several big clubs, including Manchester United.
Exeter City keeper Harry Lee - Credit: Steve Bond/Pinnacle
The former Sherwell Valley Primary School pupil is also due to report to the FA’s headquarters at Burton-upon-Trent for an England youth training camp next week.
Exeter manager Matt Taylor, who has offered him a pro contract when he reaches his 17th birthday, said: “Harry is incredibly talented. He has a huge future ahead of him.”
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His mum Mandy said: “The past year has been amazing.
"His headmaster at Torquay Academy, Steve Margetts, has been so good giving Harry the time off to train with Exeter three times a week.
“He’s still had to keep up his school work, and he’s doing well at that.
“The senior players have been great with him – they just treat him as one of the squad now."
He was told to warm up in a recent match, but with no fans allowed in St James Park, his parents had to listen to the commentary in their car outside the ground. He wasn’t needed in the end.
Harry is also a keen cricketer, although he may have to give up playing that game because of his football commitments.
But one thing won’t change. “He’s still a massive Gulls fan,” says his mum. “If a bigger club were to sign him in the next few years, I think he’d love them to loan him to Torquay, so he can play for them!”