By Alison Duck. Friday, 19 March 2004.
One of the highlights of his decade with Chelsea was playing in the semi-finals of The FA Cup.
Eight years on and former Premiership star David Lee is looking forward to the biggest game of his Sunday football career - playing in the semi-finals of The FA Sunday Cup, in partnership with Carlsberg.
The 34-year-old’s wealth of top flight experience – playing under Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli – has helped Bristol side UK Flooring reach the last four of the nation’s flagship Sunday League cup competition.
After leaving school in 1986, Bristol-born David joined Chelsea as an apprentice and went on to makealmost 200 appearances.
He left Stamford Bridge in 1998 and had spells with Bristol Rovers and Crystal Palace before going out to play in Australia for two years.
On his return, David moved into non-league and played for Forest Green Rovers, Weston Super Mare and now Mangotsfield United.
It was not until last season that David got his first taste of Sunday League football, thanks to his childhood friend John Harris, founder and manager of UK Flooring.
David said: "I have known John since we were kids and we played junior football together. One day he asked me to play for his side and it just went from there.
"If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t play. A few of my mates play for them as well. It’s a bit of a release from playing high tempo stuff on a Saturday."
UK Flooring are the first Bristol side to reach the semi-finals of The FA Sunday Cup, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this season.
It is an incredible achievement, not least because this is the Bristol Sunday League side’s first time in the competition.
They got off to a flying start when they beat St Joseph’s (Luton) – the most successful side in the history of the competition – in the Second Round and went on to knock out the holders Duke of York in the quarter-finals.
UK Flooring are currently 44 games undefeated and are hoping to do the treble this season, winning their League, League Cup and Gloucestershire FA Premier Cup.
Having put themselves on the map locally in just three seasons, they now have their sights set on gaining national recognition by reaching the final of The FA Sunday Cup at Anfield.
First, they must overcome Northampton side St Margarets in the semi-final on Sunday (March 21) at Bristol City FC.
John has built up an impressive side, which includes Ian Jones, who got to the final of The FA Vase with Chippenham Town at Wembley in 2000, and Gareth Hall, who was an apprentice at Stamford Bridge with David.
Gareth left Chelsea in 1995 for Sunderland and then moved to Swindon Town.
After getting to the semi-finals of The FA Trophy with Havant & Waterlooville last season, Gareth packed up Saturday football earlier this season and now turns out for UK Flooring.
Both David and Gareth played at Ashton Gate during their professional careers and are looking forward to running out there again at the weekend in front of a crowd which they expect to be as high as 2,000.
David said: "The FA Sunday Cup is a great competition and I have really enjoyed our run in it. I never won at Ashton Gate as a pro, but I’m hoping to change that on Sunday.
"I have played at Anfield a few times as well – my first time was at 19 and we got hammered by a side that included the likes of Barnes and Rush. It would be brilliant to get there again in the final."
For captain Nicky Olu, the semi-final has brought back memories of his time as a youth player with Bristol City.
He said: "I didn’t hang around long enough to play on the hallowed turf at Ashton Gate so it will be great to go out there and play on such a professional pitch.
"At the start of the season, I never thought that we could get this far. It’s unbelievable.
"If we play to our full potential, I am confident we can win the semi-final and the final. It would be a dream – more than a dream – to play at Anfield."
Pictures courtesy of Paul Gillis, Western Daily Press