Lee Elam, signed from Weymouth, had an eighteen-month stay at St James’ Park and was part of the squad that returned to the Football League in 2008. He later appeared for a number of non-league clubs in the north of England before going into management.

After moving through the lower ranks of non-league football, Lee joined Southport in November 1998 before switching to Morecambe four years later. He then had a brief spell at Halifax Town ahead of stepping up to the Football League when he joined newly-promoted Yeovil Town in October 2003. Making what proved to be the only Football League games of his career Lee moved on after a dozen appearances to play for Chester (on loan), Hornchurch, Burton Albion, Morecambe (again) and - at the start of the 2005/06 season - Crawley Town. After a few months in Sussex Lee joined Weymouth who he promptly helped win the Conference South championship. By the turn of the next campaign, and with the club in acute financial circumstances, the entire squad was transfer-listed enabling Lee to agree terms with Exeter City in January 2007. 

The winger made a sensational start at St James’ Park scoring a hat-trick on his debut against the now-depleted Weymouth on 23 January 2007. Lee subsequently retained his place to the end of the season scoring a further four times and appearing in the play-off final defeat against Morecambe.

Lee only featured in around half of City’s games during 2007/08 and, after a final appearance in the first play-off semi-final against Torquay, left the club in May 2008. 

After an inconclusive trial with York City, Lee signed for Altrincham and later appeared for Northwich Victoria, Bradford Park Avenue and Stalybridge Celtic. By the start of 2011/12 Lee was at Harrogate Town where he also coached the under-19s. He then returned to Bradford Park Avenue and also played for nearby Albion Sports in advance of managing Northern Counties East League side Eccleshill United between 2019 and 2022. 

Lee returned to his role at Eccleshill in May 2023.