Oxford City boss Mike Ford yesterday paid tribute to Lee Steele, following the former Oxford United striker’s controversial departure from the club.
The Premier Division club sacked Steele (pictured left), 38, this week after a homophobic remark, relating to former Welsh rugby union captain Gareth Thomas, appeared on his Twitter account.
“It’s all very sad,” said Ford. “The whole affair has been very draining.
“Lee has been an outstanding footballer for the club, and played a major part in our fight against relegation last season.
“He was signed by my predecessor Justin Merritt, and I let him go, “But I soon realised the error I had made, and welcomed him back last season “At the time, it looked like we could get relegated from the Premier Division and his goals – he averaged nearly one in every two games – played a major part in us staying up.
“Over the three seasons he was with us, he made an outstanding contribution.”
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