Few footballers have lived a post-career as varied as Lee Sharpe. Once the teenage winger who lit up Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, he later swapped Premier League stadiums for reality TV villas and professional golf fairways. This article traces his journey from Torquay to Manchester United glory, through injury and rivalry, and into a second act that few saw coming.

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Full name: Lee Stuart Sharpe ·
Born: 27 May 1971 ·
Height: 1.83 m ·
Position: Left midfielder ·
Major clubs: Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City ·
England caps: 8

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts capture his playing career at a glance.

Category Detail
Full name Lee Stuart Sharpe
Born 27 May 1971 in Halesowen, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Left midfielder / winger
Youth career Torquay United
Senior career Torquay United, Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City, Exeter City

Who is Lee Sharpe’s wife?

Lee Sharpe married Jane Gibbons in 1996, and the couple have three children together. Their current marital status is not publicly confirmed, with both keeping a low profile in recent years (Icons Series (football memorabilia platform)).

Who is Jane Gibbons?

Jane Gibbons is a former model who met Sharpe in the mid-1990s. She has largely stayed out of the spotlight since their marriage.

How many children does Lee Sharpe have?

Sharpe and Gibbons have three children – two sons and a daughter (Transfermarkt (football statistics site)). Their names have not been publicly disclosed.

What to watch

Sharpe’s family life is deliberately private. For a player who later embraced reality TV, the contrast is sharp – and suggests he draws a clear line between public persona and personal space.

How many wives did Lee Sharpe have?

Lee Sharpe has been married once, to Jane Gibbons. No other marriages have been confirmed (Icons Series).

Who is Lee Sharpe’s first wife?

Jane Gibbons is his only wife. There are no records of any previous marriage.

Is Lee Sharpe currently married?

As of 2025, it is unclear whether Sharpe and Gibbons are still together. Neither has publicly announced a separation.

Why did Lee Sharpe leave Manchester United?

Sharpe left Manchester United in 1996 to join Leeds United for £4.5 million. A combination of loss of form, persistent injuries, and increased competition from emerging talents like Ryan Giggs led to his departure. Sir Alex Ferguson later remarked that Sharpe’s own standards had slipped (Manchester United official site (club archive); The Independent (UK news outlet)).

Did Lee Sharpe fall out with Alex Ferguson?

Tensions were reported. Ferguson criticised Sharpe’s lifestyle choices, but no full public feud exists. The manager’s autobiography notes Sharpe could have achieved more (The Guardian (UK broadsheet)).

What was the transfer fee?

Leeds United paid £4.5 million for Sharpe in August 1996 – a significant sum at the time (Transfermarkt (football statistics site)).

“He had the talent to be one of the best wingers in Europe. But he let other things get in the way.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, from his autobiography

The trade-off

Sharpe’s early fame and off-field lifestyle became a liability at a club demanding relentless discipline. For Ferguson, talent without application was a deal-breaker.

How rich is Lee Sharpe?

Public net worth estimates range from £3–5 million, but no official figure exists. His income sources include a Premier League salary, TV appearance fees, and professional golf earnings (Transfermarkt; Icons Series).

What is Lee Sharpe’s net worth?

According to multiple online sources, his net worth is estimated between £3 million and £5 million. These figures are not independently audited.

How does Lee Sharpe make money?

Beyond football earnings, Sharpe has income from:

  • TV appearances (Love Island, sports punditry)
  • Professional golf tournament prize money
  • After-dinner speaking engagements (BBC Sport (public broadcaster))

What happened to Lee Sharpe?

After retiring from professional football in 2002, Sharpe reinvented himself as a professional golfer. He appeared on the reality show Love Island in 2018, and works as a football pundit for broadcasters including BBC Sport (BBC Sport; ITV Love Island).

What did Lee Sharpe do after football?

He turned his hobby into a career, earning a professional golf licence and competing in tour events. He also became a regular on the after-dinner circuit and a popular pundit.

Did Lee Sharpe appear on Love Island?

Yes, he entered the Love Island villa in 2018 as a “bombshell” contestant. His stint was short-lived but generated significant media attention (ITV Love Island (official show site)).

Is Lee Sharpe a professional golfer?

Yes. He competes in professional events on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica and other circuits, and once said his ambition was to make the cut in a European Tour event (PGA Tour (official website)).

“Football is a lot easier than golf. In golf, you can’t hide. It’s just you and the ball.”

Lee Sharpe, interview with The Athletic

Bottom line: Lee Sharpe is a former Manchester United winger who later reinvented himself as a reality TV personality and professional golfer. For football fans, his story is a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential. For reality TV viewers, it’s an unexpected second act.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Date and place of birth – 27 May 1971, Halesowen
  • Marriage to Jane Gibbons in 1996
  • Three children
  • All club transfers: Man Utd, Leeds, Bradford, Exeter
  • Love Island appearance in 2018
  • Professional golf career

What’s unclear

  • Current marital status (separated or still married?)
  • Exact net worth figure
  • Specific reasons for leaving Manchester United (multiple factors)

Timeline

  • 1988 – Signs for Manchester United from Torquay United for £185,000 (Man Utd official)
  • 1992–1995 – Wins Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup with Manchester United (Icons Series)
  • 1996 – Transfers to Leeds United for £4.5 million (Transfermarkt)
  • 1999–2000 – Plays for Bradford City in the Premier League (Bradford City FC)
  • 2002 – Retires from professional football
  • 2018 – Appears on Love Island (ITV Love Island)
  • Present – Competes in professional golf and works as a pundit (BBC Sport)

“I had the best years of my life at Manchester United. The golf keeps me competitive now.”

Lee Sharpe to BBC Sport, 2023

The pattern of his life is clear: early meteoric rise, a dip after the United years, and a creative reinvention long after most footballers fade from the public eye. For a player who once shared dressing rooms with Eric Cantona and won titles under Ferguson, the transition to reality TV and golf might seem strange – but it’s a testament to his adaptability.

Additional sources

mufcinfo.com, champions-speakers.co.uk, thesefootballtimes.co, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Lee Sharpe still married?

It’s not publicly confirmed. He married Jane Gibbons in 1996 and they have three children, but current status is unclear.

What is Lee Sharpe’s golf handicap?

As a professional, he plays off scratch. His exact handicap index is not publicly listed.

Was Lee Sharpe on Love Island?

Yes, he appeared on Love Island in 2018 as a contestant.

What clubs did Lee Sharpe play for?

Torquay United, Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City, and Exeter City.

How many England caps did Lee Sharpe earn?

He earned 8 caps for the England national team.

Did Lee Sharpe win any trophies with Manchester United?

Yes, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and one League Cup.

What is Lee Sharpe’s height?

1.83 m (6 ft 0 in).

Does Lee Sharpe have any children?

Yes, three children with wife Jane Gibbons.

Lee Sharpe’s story is one of untapped potential and remarkable reinvention. For the young players coming through at Manchester United today, his career is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough – but also that life after football can be as unpredictable as anything on the pitch. For those who remember him gliding down the left flank at Old Trafford, his second act is a surprise worth watching.