COUNTY GALLERY

Lee Jenkins by Ray Taylor

      Ray Taylor

There is clearly no place like home for Pontypool born LEE JENKINS.

Lee who is 25, was born in Pontypool but has played all his football away from the area until his move to County in October and there is no doubt he is loving it here!

"I had heard good things before I joined and it is on another level in the way you are looked after.  It is certainly on a par with Kidderminster when they were in the league last year."

Lee lives in Trinant in the Western Valley with his girl friend Keri-Lee and their two young sons, Rhys aged four and eight month old Dylan. He first showed promise with Pengam Boys Club and Swansea City were among those who took an interest.

He signed YTS forms and broke into the first team on a fairly regular basis as a 17 year-old midfield player. Swans played a 4-3-3 formation and Lee learned a lot alongside the likes of Jan Molby, former County player Kwame Ampadu and present Doncaster manager David Penney.

Molby became manager and his friendship with Kenny Dalglish almost led to a trial at Newcastle when the Scot managed the Geordie club.

"We had lots of ups and downs, and lots of changes of managers. I tried to concentrate on playing well,  but  I  was switched between midfield

and playing right-back and I honestly feel that my versatility was my downfall in a way.

"I will play where I am asked and do my best but I was always coached as a midfield player yet I have played many games as a full-back."

Swansea missed promotion In 1997 only by a last minute goal by Northampton Town in the play-offs, but they made it as Third Division champions under John Hollins three years later when Lee missed just seven league games.

Lee won international recognition for Wales from under-16 schoolboy through to under-21 level, at which he played nine times. But Swans immediately slipped back to the fourth level and the following seasons involved struggles to stay in the league, with Hollins being followed as manager by Colin Addison, Nick Cusack and Brian Flynn.

Lee was playing at right-back then and two seasons ago, Flynn allowed him the chance to join his old boss Molby at Kidderminster, on loan at first.

"We just about stayed up but there was no money, and Jan was not as effective without a good coach - he had the late Billy Ayre alongside him at Swansea. They signed a lot of youngsters who were not really up to it and Jan was replaced by Stuart Watkiss a year ago."

Lee was released after their relegation from the league and was linked with a move to County but instead Nationwide North side Redditch United moved in to sign him on a two-year deal.

"I travelled from Trinant three times a week and I was fed up with the two hour journey. Redditch were struggling and I was glad of the chance to move to a club that is only a twenty minute drive away from home. I am still not as fit as I would like to be, but I have been very impressed with the quality of the youngsters here and I think there is a lot more to come from me."

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