In 2003, he dropped out of professional football and joined Non-league Ilkeston Town before finishing his career in 2004 whilst on loan with Ossett Albion.
Lever came through the youth ranks at Grimsby Town and was promoted to the club's first team squad by Alan Buckley at the beginning of the 1987–1988 season.
When Futcher moved on, Grimsby nurtured in Peter Handyside as his long-term replacement, and both players were part of an iconic Mariners defensive line up in the nineties that included the likes of Gary Croft, Graham Rodger, John McDermott and Tony Gallimore.
After 12 years at Grimsby, Lever dropped down a division and signed for Bristol City in July 2000 on a free transfer,[2] and naturally became the main candidate to be the club captain.
The following season was more successful for Lever, as he completed 34 games in all competitions, coupled with a single goal in a 3–0 victory over Oldham Athletic on 2 February 2002.
Lever would only go on to make 15 league appearances for Town in the 2002–2003 season, while also playing in the 3–0 FA Cup defeat against Crewe Alexandra on 7 December.
This would be his first taste of the Non League football circuit, and he notably formed a defensive partnership with former Nottingham Forest stalwart Steve Chettle.