Graeme Lee has joined Bradford on a two-year contract following his release by Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season. The 30-year-old central defender was in popular demand, with Shrewsbury, Stockport and Chesterfield all reported to be keen to sign him but in the end he opted to link up with Stuart McCall at Valley Parade. And former Rovers' skipper Lee will no doubt a contender to take over the City armband from stalwart defender David Wetherall, who retired at the end of last season. Givemefootball's Mark Shail spoke with Lee after his first couple of days of training with his new club.
Q:WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED TO LEAVE DONCASTER?
A:It was disappointing, especially on the back of their promotion season, but last year was a frustrating time for me through injuries so I suppose the writing was on the wall.
Q:BUT NOW YOU MUST BE LOOKING FORWARD TO A FRESH CHALLENGE AT BRADFORD?
A:Yes, having been around the atmosphere of a promotion side last year I wanted to go somewhere where I felt we had the chances of winning promotion – you get the taste for it and Bradford have the potential to go up next season. I had other offers but Bradford was the one that appealed to me the most. They are a big club with an impressive-looking squad and I think we can challenge for promotion.
Q:AND I SUPPOSE THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH STUART McCALL WAS ANOTHER FACTOR?
A:Very much so, he has impressed me every time I've met him. He's has got Bradford at heart having been here as a player and he knows the supporters and wants to get the whole place moving. That's something I want to be part of. I've had promotions at every club I've played for and I want to be playing somewhere with that ambition. It's nice when someone wants you Stuart McCall has big plans for Bradford.
Q:AND IS THE CAPTAINCY A POSSIBILITY?
A:It would be an absolute honour if he gave me the responsibility of being captain. If he did I would take the armband with both hands and hopefully do it justice.
Q:ARE YOU FULLY RECOVERED FROM YOUR INJURY PROBLEMS NOW?
A:Yes I'm okay now. At the start of last season I was out for six weeks with a neck problem and then when I returned I fractured the back of my knee and missed four months. I then had loan spells at Hartlepool and Shrewsbury but when I came back to Doncaster they were on a great run and I couldn't break into the side. So from then on until the end of the season I was twiddling my thumbs really.
Q:HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO CARRY ON PLAYING?
A:I'm only 30 so I would like to think there are at least four or five years left in me. Last season was a difficult time for me so I just want to get back to playing regularly for a team that is challenging for honours.
Q:HAVE YOU KEPT YOURSELF FIT OVER THE SUMMER?
A:Yes, I've been ticking over by going on a few runs and I feel in good shape and ready to go. Because Doncaster's season didn't finish until the last week of May I haven't actually had that much time off so my fitness should be alright. I've already done two training days at Bradford on Tuesday and yesterday but today we've got a day off – so I'm feeling a bit stiff this morning.
