ISLE of Wight-born Lee Bradbury — the most successful Islander to play professional football — is one of the shock contenders for the vacant managerial position at Portsmouth.

The former soldier, who hails from Cowes, netted 43 times in 153 games for Pompey, before ending his time there nine years ago when he joined Walsall.

As far as the bookies are concerned, Lee is 8-1 to become the new Pompey boss — ahead of managerial heavyweights such as former Wales boss Chris Coleman, Neil Warnock (25-1), Sean Dyche, Dean Smith (25-1), Sam Allardyce (all 25-1 and with Premier League experience) and many big names others touted, say Bet Victor.

Lee, 47, who has managed National League Eastleigh for almost a calendar year and who has guided them to seventh, is just behind big names candidates to take over from sacked Danny Cowley, such as Lee Bowyer (3-1) and Chris Wilder (4-1).

Lee is an experienced manager, with spells at Bournemouth — taking over from Eddie Howe — together with Havant and Waterlooville and Eastbourne Borough, before serving as assistant at Crawley Town.

Islander Lee has obvious, strong Fratton Park connections, having spent two successful playing spells with the Blues, including helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2003.

He has also served as Pompey's U14s Academy coach. Ten years ago, Lee lost out on the Pompey head coach position to Guy Whittingham after the club was relegated to League 2.

During his first spell as a player, Manchester City forked out a record £3 million for him.