Lee Hodges, arriving from West Ham as an 18-year-old, made a big impression during a three-month loan spell with Exeter City in 1996. After further loan stints elsewhere, he featured in over a hundred league matches for Scunthorpe as well as appearing in the colours of Rochdale and Bristol Rovers.   

Lee - not to be confused with the player of the same name who played many games for Plymouth Argyle and later managed Truro City - joined West Ham United as a trainee in 1994 having played for England Schools. Turning professional in March 1995, Lee was to make just three substitute outings in the league for the Hammers. 

To foster his development Lee was farmed out on loan on five occasions between 1996 and 1999, the first of which was to Exeter City in September 1996. Appearing initially against Brighton and Hove Albion on 14 September 1996 Lee was to enjoy a productive autumn and early winter with the Grecians as he started sixteen league games as well as making one substitute appearance. 

Returning to Upton Park, Lee was to tot up another 26 Football League appearances as he went out on loan to Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Southend United before eventually leaving West Ham in July 1999.

Transferred to Scunthorpe United, Lee made 113 appearances for the Lincolnshire club scoring 20 goals in the process before a less-successful move to Rochdale for whom - hit by injury - he featured in just seven league games. Leaving for Bristol Rovers in March 2003, Lee added another 21 appearances to his Football League tally before dropping into non-league with Thurrock, AFC Hornchurch and Billericay Town ahead of arriving at Tilbury in 2009. Settling in the Grays area, Lee subsequently appeared for Braintree Town prior to a brief spell managing Aveley.