LeeThorpe came to Bangor in the 1995-96 season as a young loan signing from Blackpool where he was a trainee.  After his brief spell at Bangor, he returned to Blackpool where he remained until 1997.

John Beck signed Lee for Lincoln City in August 1997. In his first season, Lee finished as the club's top goalscorer and scored the decisive goal that gained them promotion to Division 2.  Lee was named player of the season at Lincoln in the 1999/2000 season. In 1999,  Lincoln turned down an offer of £150,000  from Rochdale for Lee. 

Lincoln were forced to release Lee in April 2002 as part of a cost cutting exercise. Lee then signed for Leyton Orient where he is a first team regular in the 2002/03 season. 

In March 2004, Lee signed for Bristol Rovers on a free transfer.