Lee Camp (footballer)

Lee Michael John Camp (born 22 August 1984) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper, most recently on a short-term deal with Coventry City. Internationally, he represents Northern Ireland, being eligible through his Northern Ireland-born grandfather, although he previously played for the England under-21 team.

Lee Camp
Camp in 2007
Personal information
Full name Lee Michael John Camp[1]
Date of birth (1984-08-22) 22 August 1984
Place of birth Derby, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
0000–2002 Derby County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Derby County 89 (0)
2003 → Burton Albion (loan) 5 (0)
2004 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 12 (0)
2006 → Norwich City (loan) 3 (0)
2007 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 11 (0)
2007–2009 Queens Park Rangers 50 (0)
2008–2009 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 15 (0)
2009–2013 Nottingham Forest 163 (0)
2013 Norwich City 3 (0)
2013–2014 West Bromwich Albion 0 (0)
2013–2014 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 11 (0)
2014–2015 AFC Bournemouth 31 (0)
2015–2017 Rotherham United 59 (0)
2017–2018 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2018 → Sunderland (loan) 12 (0)
2018–2020 Birmingham City 80 (0)
2020–2021 Coventry City 0 (0)
National team
2004–2007 England U21 5 (0)
2011–2012 Northern Ireland 9 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:08, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

Camp started his professional career with Derby County in 2002, having progressed through the club's youth ranks. During a five-year spell at the club, he made 89 league appearances for Derby, and also went on loan to three clubs: Burton Albion in 2003, Queens Park Rangers in 2004 and 2007, and Norwich City, in 2006. He switched to Queens Park Rangers in July 2007, and made 50 league appearances for the club in a two-season spell, taking his total number of QPR appearances to 73. Between October 2008 and January 2009, Camp was loaned to Nottingham Forest, signing permanently for the club in July 2009. In total, he made 182 league appearances for Nottingham Forest before returning to Norwich City in January 2013. He made three appearances in his second spell at the club, before being released on a free transfer in May 2013.

Camp joined West Bromwich Albion in September 2013 and spent two months on loan at AFC Bournemouth. He was released by West Brom in January 2014 and subsequently joined Bournemouth on a two-and-a-half-year deal, but left after one year for Rotherham United, where he was a regular for 18 months until an injured knee kept him out for the rest of his contract. He then joined Cardiff City, but never played, and spent time on loan at Sunderland before signing for Birmingham City, where he spent two seasons as first choice.

Club career

Derby County

He made his first appearance with Derby County during the 2002–03 season, and joined Burton Albion on loan in January 2003. At the end of the same season, he went to Queens Park Rangers for the last few games also on loan, where he helped the club reach promotion to Division One. In Derby's end-of-season awards, he won both the Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Year award and the Brian Clough Player of the Year award. Camp joined Norwich City on 7 September 2006, on a three-month loan with effect from 8 September, covering an injury to Joe Lewis.[3] Camp made his first Norwich City full debut on 28 November 2006 against Leicester City. He kept his place for the following match against Sheffield Wednesday where he scored an own goal in a 2–1 defeat.

Queens Park Rangers

Camp joined Queens Park Rangers ("QPR") on a three-month loan deal on 12 February 2007, having helped the club achieve promotion in 2004 in a similar loan deal. He returned to Derby early, on 25 April 2007, after a suspension to Stephen Bywater left the Rams short of goalkeepers.

Camp was transferred to QPR on 27 July 2007, after long negotiations, for a fee of £300,000. He agreed a three-year deal with the club.[4] Camp was the only QPR player to start in every league fixture of the 2007–08 season.

Nottingham Forest
Lee Camp in the Nottingham Forest goal wearing green

On 20 October 2008 Camp joined Nottingham Forest on a three-month loan.[5] He played a pivotal role in helping the club climb out of the bottom three and also saved two penalties; one against his former club Derby,[6] and one against Bristol City.[7] Both were in the final minutes of the games. He returned to QPR[8] when Colin Calderwood was sacked and replaced by Billy Davies, his former manager at Derby County.

On 2 July 2009 it was announced on Forest's official website that a transfer had been agreed and, subject to a medical examination, Camp was to complete his signing by 4 July 2009. The fee was reported to be around £100,000 but with additional payments.[9]

He made his first start as a permanent Forest player on 10 August 2009 in their league opener against Reading where they were unlucky to come away with only a 0–0 draw.[10] Camp conceded only one goal in his first six games and kept a clean sheet for over 10.5 hours of football. He won the December Championship Player of the Month Award.[11]

Camp was an ever-present in the Forest goal the following season, featuring in every match of the 2010–11 season and keeping a total of 12 clean sheets. When Club Captain Paul McKenna was injured, Camp stepped in as the Nottingham Forest Captain. Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies spoke of his delight at having a goalkeeper with the class of Camp, saying "You talk about positives and negatives in players, but his performances have been first-class – simply outstanding." Camp kept a clean sheet in the first leg of the 2010–11 Football League Championship playoff semi-final against Swansea City where he was forced to make numerous saves. Camp finished second in the club's player of the season award to Luke Chambers.[12]

In the summer 2011 transfer window, Forest rejected three bids from Swansea City – the highest of which was a £1.8 million bid – for the services of Camp.[13]

Camp started the first game of season against Barnsley at the City Ground and kept his first clean sheet of the 2011–12 Championship season. Camp was able to keep his second clean sheet in the Reds' first league win of the season, against Doncaster Rovers. Camp's outstanding performance which saw him make critical saves against Watford, was key to seeing Forest pick up their second win and third clean sheet of the campaign. In what was a disappointing campaign for Forest, Camp started all 46 league matches, keeping 12 clean sheets.

Following months of unsuccessful contract negotiations and with Camp's contract set to expire, Alex McLeish confirmed that Camp was not part of his future plans, just weeks into his tenure as Reds manager, allowing Camp to move away from The City Ground. Camp was released from his contract on 23 January 2013.[14]

Norwich City

Camp signed for Norwich City on 23 January 2013 following his release from Nottingham Forest and would wear the number 42 shirt. He made his second debut for Norwich on 17 March 2013 after goalkeeper Mark Bunn was sent off for handling a loose ball outside of the penalty box. Camp made his full Premier League debut the following week away at Wigan Athletic.[15] Camp was again used as a substitute in a home game against Swansea City after Mark Bunn came off with a groin injury.

West Bromwich Albion

He signed for West Bromwich Albion on 1 September 2013, following Ben Foster's stress fracture in his right foot ruling him out for up to 12 weeks, Camp was signed as cover on a rolling monthly contract.[16] After not making a senior appearance throughout September and October Camp joined Championship side AFC Bournemouth on 31 October 2013 for a month's loan until 27 November 2013.[17] On 27 November 2013 his loan spell at Bournemouth was extended until 1 January 2014.[18] He was released on his return to West Brom.[19]

AFC Bournemouth

On 4 January 2014, after spending two months on loan at the club, Camp joined Bournemouth permanently on a two-and-a-half-year-deal following his release from West Brom on 1 January 2014.[19]

Rotherham United

On 1 September 2015, Camp was released by Bournemouth and signed for Rotherham United on a two-year deal. He quickly became a fans favourite and made crucial clean sheets against Birmingham City, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. He made crucial saves against his old team Derby County as Rotherham came from 3–0 down to draw 3–3.[20] He remained a regular until a knee injury sustained in November 2016 kept him our for the rest of his contract.[21]

Cardiff City

Camp moved to Cardiff City in June 2017. On 31 January 2018, Camp made a deadline day switch to Sunderland, signing on loan for the remainder of the season. He never made an appearance for Cardiff.[22]

Birmingham City

On 8 August 2018, Camp joined Championship side Birmingham City on a free transfer.[23] Having been on the bench for the next league match, Camp replaced Connal Trueman for the visit to Reading in the EFL Cup first round, a 2–0 defeat.[24] He kept his place for, and kept a clean sheet in, the goalless draw with Swansea City on 17 August.[24]

Camp extended his contract to cover the last few matches of the COVID-19 pandemic-interrupted 2019–20 season and then left the club.[25]

Coventry City

On 27 November 2020, Camp signed for Championship club Coventry City on a two-month contract as injury cover.[26] He left when the deal expired without having been needed to play.[27]

International career

Camp played for the England under-21s five times, including the first (professional) match at the new Wembley Stadium. He stated that this honour was the highlight of his footballing career up to that time.[28] Camp conceded a goal 25 seconds after the game had started, making him the first man to concede a goal at the new stadium.[29]

Having not earned a call-up to the full England team, Camp stated that he would be keen on playing for Northern Ireland, for whom he qualifies through his Newtownards-born grandfather. Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington asked the Irish Football Association to start the process to make Camp available for the national side[30] and FIFA confirmed Camp's eligibility to play for Northern Ireland on 16 February 2011.[31] He received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad on 14 March 2011, for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Serbia and Slovenia,[32] and made his Northern Ireland debut in the match against Serbia on 25 March 2011.[33] In the summer of 2012, he lost his place in the Northern Ireland side to Roy Carroll.

Career statistics
As of match played 27 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Derby County 2002–03[34] First Division 1000000010
2004–05[35] Championship 45030102[lower-alpha 1]0510
2005–06[36] Championship4001000—410
2006–07[37] Championship300010—40
Total 890402020970
Burton Albion (loan) 2002–03[34] Conference 5000—0050
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2003–04[38] Second Division 120———120
Norwich City (loan) 2006–07[37] Championship300000—30
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2006–07[37] Championship1100000—110
Queens Park Rangers 2007–08[39] Championship4601010—480
2008–09[40] Championship400010—50
Total 610102000640
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2008–09[40] Championship1500000—150
Nottingham Forest 2009–10[41] Championship45020002[lower-alpha 1]0490
2010–11[42] Championship46020102[lower-alpha 1]0510
2011–12[43] Championship4602020—500
2012–13[44] Championship2601010—280
Total 17807040401930
Norwich City 2012–13[44] Premier League300000—30
West Bromwich Albion 2013–14[45] Premier League000000—00
AFC Bournemouth 2013–14[45] Championship3301000—340
2014–15[46] Championship902020—130
Total 420302000470
Rotherham United 2015–16[47] Championship4101000—420
2016–17[48] Championship1800000—180
Total 5901000—600
Cardiff City 2017–18[22] Championship000000—00
Sunderland (loan) 2017–18[22] Championship120———120
Birmingham City 2018–19[24] Championship4401010—460
2019–20[49] Championship3604000—400
Total 8005010—860
Coventry City 2020–21[50] Championship 0000——00
Career total 5440210110605820
  1. Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

Queen's Park Rangers

AFC Bournemouth

Individual

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 12. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. "Lee Camp". Cardiff City F.C. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  3. "City To Sign Lee Camp on Loan". Norwich City F.C. 7 September 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  4. "Camp pens deal". Queens Park Rangers F.C. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  5. "Camp joins Forest". Queens Park Rangers F.C. 21 October 2008. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  6. Collins, Ben (2 November 2008). "Camp heroics deny Derby". Sky Sports. British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  7. "Bristol City 2 Nottingham Forest 2". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  8. "Trio return". Queens Park Rangers F.C. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  9. "Forest complete signing of Camp". BBC Sport. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  10. "Reading 0 v 0 Nottingham Forest". Nottingham Forest F.C. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  11. "Camp named player of the month, Dec 2009". The Football League. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  12. "Star Man Luke". Nottingham Forest F.C. 30 April 2011. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  13. "Rodgers weighs up Camp move". Sky Sports. British Sky Broadcasting. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  14. "Camp Set For Canaries". Nottingham Forest F.C. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  15. "Wigan Athletic 1 Norwich City 0 match report: The late escape is on as". The Independent. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  16. "Camp joins the Baggies". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  17. "Cherries complete Camp loan deal". AFC Bournemouth. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  18. "Camp extends loan stay". AFC Bournemouth. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  19. "Official: Camp signs for Cherries". AFC Bournemouth. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  21. "Lee Camp: Rotherham United goalkeeper to miss rest of season with knee injury". BBC Sport. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  22. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  23. "Blues sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Lee Camp". Birmingham City F.C. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  24. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  25. "Camp departs with gratitude". Birmingham City F.C. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  26. "Coventry City sign ex-Derby, Forest and Birmingham keeper as free agent". BBC Sport. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  27. Hornby, Mark (28 January 2021). "News: Lee Camp leaves Coventry City". Coventry City F.C. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  28. "Lee Camp Interview (part 1) – Lost That Loving Feeling". Lost That Loving Feeling. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  29. "England U21s draw Wembley cracker". BBC Sport. 24 March 2007.
  30. "Keeper Camp wants to play for NI". BBC Sport. 19 September 2010.
  31. "Camp cleared to play for NI". Sky Sports. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  32. "Forest keeper Lee Camp named in NI squad for qualifiers". BBC Sport. 14 March 2011.
  33. "Serbia 2–1 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 25 March 2011.
  34. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  35. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  36. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  37. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  38. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  39. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  40. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  41. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  42. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  43. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  44. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  45. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  46. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  47. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  48. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  49. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  50. "Games played by Lee Camp in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  51. "Rooney is PFA player of the year". BBC Sport. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
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