Get West London's journalists could soon have a new rival in the sports writing stakes – none other than Brentford keeper Richard Lee.
The former Watford stopper, who joined the Bees four years ago, has been studying for a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting, set up by former Sheffield Wednesday ace Lawrie Madden.
Following a number of carefully crafted media dissertations and shadowing news reporters, the 31 year old managed to scoop the highest British undergraduate degree, bagging a first with honours.
They say keepers are a strange breed and Lee has never been a conventional footballer, appearing on TV show Dragons Den in 2006 looking for investment in his baseball cap business, and in 2012 he released a book in goalkeeping.
Lee said: “I was absolutely delighted to learn that I received a first-class degree, but it was anything but a walk in the park. It also gave me something to channel my energy into away from football, particularly while I was out last year with a shoulder injury.
“The course requires players to attend one day per month during the season to fit around their training schedule. This reverts to a period of time studying full-time during the close season, which enables players to complete a number of workplace-based assignments.
I did mine with The Bees Player – Brentford’s radio player, the Daily Mail, and the Watford Observer. I also managed to get some airtime with BBC Late Kick-Off and Sky Sports news radio.
“For me, the most challenging module was in Sports Law, as we had to produce a paper on negligence in sport, which covers a myriad of things. The course also enabled me to rub shoulders with other sporting names, including Fabrice Muamba, who I met several times during my course. It was a win-win all round.”
Lee has no intention of hanging up his gloves just yet, however, and plans to give David Button a real fight for the number one jersey when newly promoted Brentford's new Championship season kicks off next month.
