Lenny Pidgeley was last seen by many Chelsea fans standing next to captain John Terry as he lifted Chelsea’s first Premier League title for fifty years in 2005. Pidgeley, then 21, left Chelsea soon afterwards after having made only two appearances.
He moved on to Millwall who were playing in League One and was first choice for a while before suffering an injury.
In 2008, he moved on loan to Woking before signing for Carlisle United. He would return on loan to Woking again after barley playing at Carlisle.
Pidgeley moved to Exeter City in 2011. He was released by the South West club in 2012 after their relegation from League One.
The first really successful spell of his career came at Newport County from 2012 until 2015. He won promotion to League Two in 2013.
After leaving Newport he dropped into lower league football and bounced around clubs, finally ending up at Farnborough.
Pidgeley’s career ended in controversy last month. His final club, Farnborough, made a public statement saying that the keeper would not be available for an FA Cup fixture due to a long term medical condition.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/farnborough-fc-lenny-pidgeley-football-mental-health-depression-a8538941.html
Pidgeley felt forced to explain this condition, which, he revealed, was a depression that he had kept secret for many years.
His condition had worsened in the weeks and days prior to the Cup match, forcing him to miss the game. Pidgeley was very upset that his illness became public knowledge as he always hoped it remain a secret. He retired with immediate effect at the age of 34.
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