Joe Lea

Joe Lea (born 16 December 1997) is an English football coach and former player who played as a midfielder. He is joint manager of Poole Town with Pat Suraci.

Playing career

Southampton Born in Portsmouth, Lea spent nine years in the Southampton youth academy before being released upon the completion of his two-year scholarship. He made his professional debut on 23 August 2016 as a substitute in a League Cup match at Everton. and Lea made his debut for Dorchester that afternoon as a second-half substitute against Dunstable Town.

In January 2017, Lea joined National League South side Gosport Borough on loan until the end of the season.

At the end of the 2016–17 season, Lea was released by Yeovil having only made two appearances for the club.

Bognor Regis Town After a successful trial, Lea signed for newly promoted National League South club Bognor Regis Town in July 2017.

Gosport Borough Lea signed for Gosport Borough on 18 January 2018.

Coaching career In April 2022, Lea and his former teammate at Gosport Borough, Pat Suraci, were appointed co-managers at Petersfield Town. In January 2023, having retained his registration as a player at Petersfield, Lea announced his retirement in order to focus on his coaching career.

In May 2023, Lea and Suraci returned to Gosport as co-managers. They left the club in January 2025, to take over at fellow Southern League club Poole Town.

Career statistics