Lenny Pidgeley

Career

Pidgeley was born in Twickenham, London. He initially signed up with Chelsea at the opening of the 2002–03 season, and was loaned out to Watford between September 2003 and May 2004, a deal initially intended to last for two months, but which was extended to the end of the season. His made his Watford début on 4 October 2003, coming on as a substitute in Watford's 1–0 win at Crewe Alexandra after the dismissal of Alec Chamberlain.{{cite news

Due to Carlo Cudicini being suspended,{{cite news

Pidgeley has previously been selected for the England under-21 squad.

Pidgeley sought first-team football, and signed a three-year contract with Millwall in League One on 10 June 2006. He became their first choice goalkeeper in the 2006–07 season, before injury and the arrival of new manager Kenny Jackett during the following season.

In August 2008, he signed a one-month loan with Woking. On his last home league game for Woking before returning to Millwall he saved a penalty from Steve Morison against Woking's rivals Stevenage Borough. Pidgeley had been tipped to go into talks with League One side Carlisle United during 2009–10 pre-season. He signed a one-year deal with the Cumbrians on 8 July after the departure of Ben Williams to Colchester United.

He spent the first two months of the 2010–11 season with Conference South side Woking, before leaving in September 2010 after making nine appearances for the club.{{Cite news | access-date = 24 August 2011}} On 26 October 2010, he was given a trial with League Two club Bradford City appearing for Bradford's reserves against Sheffield United. He made his debut on 30 October in a 5–0 win against Oxford United.{{Cite news | access-date = 3 September 2011}}

In June 2011, Pidgeley signed on a free transfer for League One side Exeter City on a one-year contract. In May 2012, Pidgeley was released by Exeter after the club was relegated from Football League One.

In August 2012, Pidgeley signed a short-term contract with Newport County as cover for the injured Alan Julian. At County, Lenny was also given the number 40 shirt and he was ever-present in the team as County topped the league after 11 matches. Due to his fine form and ongoing injury to Alan Julian his contract was extended in September 2012 until the end of the 2012–13 season. Newport finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference playoffs. Newport County won the play-off final against Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to League Two. For the first time in Conference history, the winning team had not conceded a single goal in the play-offs.

On 2 February 2015 Pidgeley joined Mansfield Town on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season. He was released by Newport in May 2015 at the end of his contract.

In January 2016, Pidgeley dropped into non-league to sign for Isthmian League side Leatherhead. Three months later however, in March 2016, he signed for National League side Forest Green Rovers. Following the sacking of Adrian Pennock, he went on to take on a temporary goalkeeper coach role at Forest Green under the caretaker management of Scott Bartlett, as the club reached the 2015–16 National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium only to lose 3–1 against Grimsby Town.

On 27 July 2016, Pidgeley joined Isthmian League Division One South side Hastings United, joining former Chelsea teammate Steven Watt. On 13 August 2016, Pidgeley made his Hastings United debut in a 4–1 victory over South Park.

On 17 May 2017, Pidgeley joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Margate.

On 17 May 2018, Pidgeley joined Southern Football League side Farnborough. On 12 September, Farnborough announced Pidgeley's decision to retire due to mental health problems, which led to media backlash after the club's poor handling of the subject.

Honours

Chelsea

• Football League Cup: 2004–05

Carlisle United

• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2009–10

Newport County

• Conference Premier play-offs: 2013

References

References

1. (27 February 2005). "Liverpool 2–3 Chelsea".
2. (10 June 2006). "Lions sign Blues keeper Pidgeley". BBC News.
3. [http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/football/newportcounty/9957827.New_arrival_to_follow_Pidgeley_in_penning_Exiles_deal/ Pidgeley extends at Newport]
4. Hughes, Dewi. (5 May 2013). "Wrexham 0–2 Newport".
5. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31103488 Pidgeley joins Mansfield]
6. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32703882 Newport players released]
7. (25 January 2016). "Ex-Chelsea Keeper Joins Tanners".
8. (24 March 2016). "Former Chelsea goalkeeper joins Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport.
9. (15 May 2016). "Forest Green 1-3 Grimsby". BBC Sport.
10. (27 July 2016). "Lenny Pidgeley & Harry Stannard sign". Hastings United F.C..
11. (13 August 2016). "HASTINGS UNITED FC VS SOUTH PARK". Hastings United F.C..
12. (17 May 2017). "Lenny Latest To Join The Gate". Margate Official Site.
13. (17 May 2018). "Farnborough announce three Summer signings". [[Farnborough F.C.]].
14. (12 September 2018). "Club Statement: Goalkeeper situation". [[Farnborough F.C..
15. (13 September 2018). "Football club slammed for "outing" ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley as suffering from mental health issues". Daily Mirror.
16. Shemilt, Stephan. (28 March 2010). "Carlisle United 1–4 Southampton".