|
Just 135 minutes into the 2005/2006 campaign, Canvey's Jeff Minton challenged Lee in the centre circle and left him with a badly broken leg that has taken close to a year to recover from.
The playmaker told the News: "I headed on a ball, controlled it and then passed it forward before the tackle came in. I didn't see him coming but he took me out from behind.
"I didn't even need to look at my leg, I knew what had happened. I wasn't really in that much pain at first, it was numb and I was in shock. I heard the noise it made and knew what had happened.
"There were so many things going through my head as I lay there and I thought to myself 'that's it, I'm never going to play again.' It was a terrible moment for me."
After undergoing numerous operations, which saw a plate and a pin inserted in his leg, Lee was put in plaster for five weeks before starting an intensive recovery programme.
The former Brighton midfielder was not allowed to kick a football for FIVE months as he worked on strengthening the injured leg through a mixture of gym work, cycling and rowing.
Lee admitted it had been a tough year, made doubly difficult by having to watch his team-mates struggle in the Conference.
He said: "When I first got injured I was alright and quite happy with the way things were going, but then I hit a stage when I felt like I was getting nowhere.
“I had been warned about it and it was really frustrating but suddenly my progress kicked on again.
"There is always that doubt in your mind when you think 'is this ever going to get better' but I think I've done reasonably well.
"It was hard for me to be sat on the sidelines. It sounds a bit selfish, but it wasn't as bad because the team were struggling a bit.
“It would have been worse if they were winning and top of the league, though obviously I would have been delighted for the lads and the fans.
"I started kicking a ball again in January, but it was only in little bits really. In the last month I have really started hitting the ball properly again, although not at 100% yet, but that may be a mental thing.
"I'm sure it would be different in a match situation because I wouldn't have time to think about it, I would just put my foot through the ball.
"The lads went easy on me when I first came back to training but a couple of times they forgot and clattered into me. I have no problem with that, it's good for me and it's what I need to test the leg.
"Obviously I'm really looking forward to pre-season. I'll have been out for almost a year by then so I need to get some games under my belt."
Despite the serious nature of the injury, Shots boss Terry Brown showed faith in the 25-year-old by rewarding Lee with a new deal, which the fans' favourite was only too happy to sign.
He said: "I'm delighted to commit to the club and glad it's done and dusted now. It dragged on a bit but I didn't need any convincing to stay.
"Last year was a disaster for me personally and not a great one for the team, so hopefully I can come back and the team will improve as well.
"I don't really know two of the guys (Mark Molesley and Louis Soares) who have come in but Jason Lee is a great signing. I have spoken to a few mates who played with him at Boston and they said he'll be a hell of a player for us.
"It's an exciting time to be at Aldershot and I'm sure we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."
With thanks to the Aldershot News.