Brian Lee

Brian Russell Lee MBE (28 February 1936 – 12 February 2023) was a British football manager, coach, and administrator, most notable for his associations with Wycombe Wanderers and Bisham Abbey. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football, and a Services to Football Award by the League Managers Association (LMA) in 2016.

Early life and education Born in Sale, Cheshire, Brian Lee was a successful sportsman at Sale Grammar School, captaining the school rugby team and representing the county. After leaving school he joined Altrincham and later Port Vale, but decided not to pursue a career as a professional footballer following a serious toe injury.

Coaching and managerial career Lee took up coaching instead, and at the age of 18 became the youngest F.A. Staff Coach in England. At 24 he became Assistant Warden at Lilleshall, and was later involved with the England Youth Team. In 1967 he was appointed Director of Bisham Abbey and also coach to Oxford University.

Lee had been due to attend Wycombe Wanderers' home game versus Derby County the previous day, but was instead admitted to Wexham Park Hospital, feeling unwell.