Lee Crooks

Who is Lee Crooks?

Leading Aircraftsman Lee Crooks is a gunner in the RAF Regiment, and former professional footballer best known for having played for Manchester City.

As a combative and versatile defender or midfielder, Crooks made 222 competitive appearances in his playing career in the top three divisions of English football, including 196 in league competition. Possessing a powerful strike, he scored a total of 5 goals.

A product of the Manchester City youth system, Crooks signed with the Northern England based club at age 16, and spent 6 years there during a turbulent period or relegations and promotions, including the 1999 Division 2 playoff final against Gillingham. He went on to play for the other northern clubs of Barnsley, Bradford City, Rochdale, as well as loan spells at Northampton Town and Notts County in the East Midlands.

After further appearances below The Football League in the lower leagues with West Yorkshire clubs Guiseley and Ossett Town, at age 32 he embarked on a new career in the British Armed Forces, joining the RAF Regiment, the infantry unit of the Royal Air Force.