Former Middlesbrough, Reading and Swansea striker Leroy Lita is still prowling non-league 18-yard boxes at the age of 39 and recently announced a move to club number 26 in what has been an already lengthy career.
Coalville Town is the most recent outfit to acquire his services, with the club’s website proudly announcing his arrival from rivals Nuneaton Borough. He joined with Scott McManus who also made the short journey across the midlands. The statement read, “Leroy Lita needs no introduction being one of the most famous names playing non-league football at the moment.
A natural nine
“After a professional career playing for the likes of Bristol City, Reading, Middlesbrough & Swansea he came into non-league five years ago where we have come up against him playing for Hednesford, Ilkeston & Nuneaton.
“A natural number 9 Leroy is now known for his hold up play and aerial prowess despite not being the tallest and has always been a handful whenever playing us, underlined by the fact he scored three goals against the Ravens last year.”
Lita, who represented England at Under 21 level (scoring 6 goals in 9 games) was a revered number nine in his peak years. He has played right across the English footballing pyramid from non-league to Premier League, as well as abroad at various clubs. But he is perhaps best known for his goal scoring exploits at Reading, Bristol City and Middlesbrough.
His prolific return for Bristol City saw him bag 36 goals in 96 games. He had similar success at Reading where he notched 32 in a 100 appearances, including 8 Premier League goals for the Royals. Lita also turned out for teams that included Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham.
Spell at Boro was at a difficult time
Leroy Lita was brought to Teesside from Reading on a free transfer after Boro had suffered relegation from the Premier League under Gareth Southgate. The squad lost some of the big talents as a consequence of that disappointing campaign, with local star Stewart Downing to Villa being the biggest loss. The club also waved goodbye to Tuncay Sanli, Robert Huth and Afonso Alves. The summer additions that year saw Mark Yeates, Danny Coyne, Sean St Ledger and Caleb Folan arrive at The Riverside with Lita. Gordon Strachan arrived in October and you probably don’t need me to tell you some of the players that followed. Needless to say the subsequent addition of forwards Dave Kitson, Isaiah Osbourne and Marcus Bent did not set the world alight that season.
Lita played at Middlesbrough during a period that is not celebrated too heartily by fans. His record was reputable though, he managed to score 20 goals from 82 appearances in a Middlesbrough shirt and was even passionate enough to twirl his shirt above his head on numerous occasions, including when he scored against his old club Bristol City. He had received abuse from the home fans during the game and his emotions took over. There was none of this subdued, modest, non-celebrating malarky back then, old club or not. He did however apologise to City via their website after the win.
Lita was always an athletic, pacey and powerful individual and was a bag of tricks in the box. He had an excellent leap for a fairly diminutive forward and has clearly taken care of himself over the years. Enough to prolong his career. He shows no signs of slowing down and has already netted six times this season. Coalville Town will be hoping his experience and evergreen reputation will continue.