Lee Novak

Huddersfield Town In July 2009, he gained media attention after being involved with a punch-up with Fabricio Coloccini in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. The fight occurred at the end of a what was described as a "feisty game" that Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said demonstrated the "competitiveness" of both sides. He made his debut for Huddersfield as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Southend United at Roots Hall on 8 August 2009, where he set up the equalising goal. He made his first competitive start three days later in a 3–1 win over Stockport County in the League Cup. On 18 August, he scored his first goal (a penalty) for the "Terriers", in a 7–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. He secured a regular place in the starting 11 alongside Jordan Rhodes. He scored in four consecutive League One games from 24 November to 12 December, claiming goals against Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, Leeds United, and Gillingham. He suffered a knee injury during a game against Norwich City on 13 March, forcing him to miss Huddersfield's next five games. Novak returned to action with three stoppage time goals in four appearances off the bench including the winning goal against Walsall, a penalty during stoppage time in a 6–0 away win over Stockport County, and a last minute winner over Colchester United in a 2–1 win on 1 May, the last game of the season at the Galpharm Stadium. Novak finished the season with 12 league goals in 38 league games as Huddersfield reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Millwall. He was the club's third top-scorer with 14 goals in all competitions, behind Jordan Rhodes (23) and Theo Robinson (16). At the end of the season he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until summer 2013.

He missed the midpoint of the 2010–11 season with a torn hamstring. He was limited to five goals in 15 starts and 24 substitute appearances, and played both legs of the play-off semi-final victory over Bournemouth, converting his penalty in the shoot-out victory. He was an unused substitute in the play-off final defeat to Peterborough United at Old Trafford; Benik Afobe started the game, whilst strikers Danny Cadamarteri, Jordan Rhodes and Alan Lee all featured as substitutes.

Novak had a full pre-season with no injury problems going into the 2011–12 season. He made his first start of the season in the League Cup First Round 4–2 win over Port Vale at Vale Park on 9 August, scoring twice to help the "Terriers" progress into the next round. Keeping his first team place under the transition of managers from Lee Clark to Simon Grayson, he scored a total of 17 goals in 49 appearances throughout the campaign, and started the play-off final victory over Sheffield United, before being substituted shortly before the penalty shoot-out.

After promotion to the Championship, Novak struggled for form, but did make some telling contributions in the 2012–13 campaign, particularly in the final two games against Bristol City and Barnsley, which helped the club to avoid relegation. He left the club when his contract expired at the end of June 2013, after rejecting a new deal that had been on the table since October 2012.

Birmingham City

In May 2013, Novak agreed a deal to join Birmingham City to reunite himself with his former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark. He scored his first goal in Birmingham colours in a 4–0 defeat of Shamrock Rovers while on pre-season tour in Ireland, and made his competitive debut in a 1–0 defeat at home to Watford on the opening day of the season. He was released by Birmingham when his contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Chesterfield Novak joined League One club Chesterfield on a season-long loan on 14 August 2015. He ended his loan with 14 goals from 35 league appearances. Novak scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Fleetwood Town on 10 September 2016.

Scunthorpe United Novak joined another League One club, Scunthorpe United, on 31 August 2017 on a free transfer; he signed a two-year contract.

His contract was extended by Scunthorpe at the end of the 2018–19 season.

Bradford City Novak joined League Two club Bradford City on 31 January 2020 on an 18-month contract.

In January 2021 Novak was announced as temporary team captain following injury to regular captain Richard O'Donnell.

On 12 May 2021 he was one of nine players that Bradford City announced would leave the club on 30 June 2021 when their contracts expire.

Style of play On signing Novak in January 2009, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark said that "he has good awareness and he brings other people into the game. He has a fantastic work ethic... having talked with him he is the type of character that wants to learn and become a better player." Two years later, Clark said he had no problem with asking Novak to play in an unfamiliar role because "his attitude and application are always spot-on". After joining Birmingham, Novak was used on the left wing, in support of a lone striker, as well as in his preferred central position.

Career statistics

Honours Gateshead Conference North play-offs: 2009

Huddersfield Town Football League One play-offs: 2012

Individual Conference North Player of the Month: November 2008 Gateshead Player of the Year: 2008–09