James Lawrie

James Lawrie
Personal information
Full nameJames Lawrie[1]
Date of birth18 December 1990[2]
Place of birthDundonald, Northern Ireland[2]
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Playing positionStriker[2]
Club information
Current team
Altrincham
Number7
Youth career
?–2007Port Vale
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2010Port Vale27(2)
2010→ Kidderminster Harriers (loan)10(1)
2010–2011AFC Telford United23(4)
2011→ Altrincham (loan)11(4)
2011–Altrincham135(27)
National team‡
2007Northern Ireland U174(1)
2008–2009Northern Ireland U199(5)
2008–2011Northern Ireland U219(2)
2009Northern Ireland B1(0)
2009–2010Northern Ireland3(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:19, 27 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

James Lawrie (born 18 December 1990) is a Northern Irish semi-professional footballer who plays for Altrincham. The striker has represented Northern Ireland at youth level and in 2009 earned his first semior cap.

One of the most promising players to come through the Port Vale youth system in recent years, during the summer of 2009 he picked up interest from top-flight clubs. However he was released by the club in the summer of 2010 after only featuring in a handful of games, and signed with AFC Telford United. He was loaned out to Altrincham in 2011, and signed permanently with the club in December that year, and helped the club to win promotion out of the Conference North via the play-offs in 2014.

Early life

Born in Dundonald, County Down, Lawrie attended Middlewich High School in Middlewich, Cheshire, England.[3]

Club career

Port Vale

Lawrie worked his way through the Port Vale youth team and in July 2007 was offered his first professional contract.[4] He is considered to be one of the brightest lights to come out of Vale Park since Anthony Gardner. His first league goal came in the 89th minute against Chester City on 27 January 2009, the goal was so well taken that it earned him the club's goal of the season award.[5] Following that game manager Dean Glover stated his belief that Lawrie had a bright future in football[6] and two days later signed Lawrie up to a two-and-a-half-year deal.[4] Lawrie repaid these kind words the next month in a BBC interview; accepting responsibility for Vale's low standing on behalf of the players, as opposed to bad-management on Glover's part.[7] On 4 April he gained his second club goal in a 1–1 draw with Bury, again impressing with his performance.[8]

The young striker's progress attracted attention from top flight clubs during the 2009–10 pre-season. The Daily Star reported that David Moyes was interested in bringing Lawrie in for a trial at Everton.[9] Vale chairman Bill Bratt did in fact give permission for a trial, Lawrie spending the last week of July with the "Toffees",[10] though manager Micky Adams denied it being a trial per se.[11] Regardless of semantics, nothing came of the week at Goodison Park, Everton having apparently ended their interest in the young striker.[12] Adams believed the experience benefited the player: "All these experiences can help James and benefit him in the long term."[13] He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[14]

Lawrie joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one-month loan in February 2010.[15] The deal was made to get Lawrie games at the Conference level, as he was unable to break into the Vale first team all season. This deal was then extended until the conclusion of the 2009–10 season,[16][17] and he finished the season with one goal in twelve appearances for the "Harriers". In April 2010 he learned that he would not be offered a new contract by manager Micky Adams.[18]

AFC Telford United

In July 2010 Lawrie joined League One club Exeter City on a two-week trial.[19][20] Lawrie was not offered a contract after an unsuccessful trial.[21] He then joined Football League newboys Stevenage on trial,[22] before trying his luck at Morecambe, again of League Two.[23] He ended up signing a one-year deal with AFC Telford United of the Conference North.[24][25] This was seen as quite a coup for the club.[26]

He scored on his Telford debut, in a 5–0 thumping of Hyde United on 14 August.[27] Despite this he was forced to wait on the substitute bench for a number of weeks before earning his first start for the club.[28] He got his second goal in November, against Droylsden,[29] before getting a brace against Hinckley United in January.[30] He hoped this brace would prove enough to win him a first team place.[31] However the next month he was sidelined with an ankle injury,[32] and struggled to regain his place in the side upon his recovery.[33] Telford managed to win promotion to the Conference National after a play-off final win over Guiseley – the "Stags" had finished the league campaign in second place.

Altrincham

On transfer deadline day, 31 August 2011, he joined Altrincham back in the Conference North on loan for a month.[34] His loan was extended until 28 November and he scored four goals in eleven appearances, playing mostly as a winger. After his loan spell ended he was released by Telford and joined Altrincham on a permanent basis.[35] The club missed out on the play-offs by 11 points in 2011–12. Altrincham reached the play-offs in 2012–13, but were beaten 4–2 by Brackley Town in the play-off semi-finals. The "Robins" again qualified for the play-offs in the 2013–14 campaign, and Lawrie scored the winning goal against Hednesford Town at Moss Lane at the semi-final stage. Lawrie then went on to score in the final as the club secured promotion with a 2–1 extra-time victory over Guiseley.[36]

International career

Youth level

Lawrie earned four caps in the under-17 side, scoring against Iceland to earn a 2–2 draw after coming on as a substitute on 19 March 2007.

In the under-19 side Lawrie scored three goals in his first six games. His first came against Belgium in a 5–4 victory Milk Cup on 30 July 2008, Lawrie scored the opener and was described as a "dominant figure".[37] His second goal was against Iceland in a 2–0 win on 8 September. His third came against England in a 3–1 loss on 10 October.

He won his first caps for the under-21 side on 19 August 2008, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Poland. Later in the month he was also a substitute in a 4–1 loss to Ukraine and two months later he came on in a 3–1 win over Scotland.

Lawrie was then called up to the Northern Ireland B team for a friendly with the Scotland B team on 6 May 2009.[38] Upon announcing the teenagers call-up manager Nigel Worthington stated his belief that Lawrie would earn a full cap in the future.[39] He came on as a 31st minute substitute.[40]

Following his senior debut, he continued at youth level in the 2009 Milk Cup, Lawrie scored the under-19's last minute winner over Germany at the Riada Stadium, the game finishing 3–2.[41] Two days later he scored the opener of a 3–0 win over Bulgaria.[42] In the final, the Irish beat Denmark 2–0, Lawrie providing the cross for Josh Magennis to score the opener.[43] Lawrie came away with the "The One" Player of the Tournament award.[44]

His fourth under-21 cap came on 12 August 2009, as he won a penalty in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Portugal.[45] The next month he missed out on further call-ups to the under-21 squad, as he had an operation to remove his appendix.[46] He returned to the squad following his recovery, scoring in a 2–1 defeat in Iceland in the 2011 under-21 Euro qualifier.[47][48]

Senior team

In May 2009 it was announced that Lawrie was to be called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for the first time in a friendly with Italy on 6 June 2009.[49] He picked up his first senior cap in the game, coming on as a late substitute as the Italians came out 3–0 winners.[50] His second cap came a year later in a friendly with Turkey.[51]

Personal life

Lawrie is a Manchester United supporter and is an admirer of former "Red Devils" captain Roy Keane.[52]

Career statistics

Club

As of 27 April 2015.
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[53] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2007–08[54]Port ValeLeague One6010000070
2008–09[55]League Two182100000192
2009–10[56]3000001040
2009–10[56]Kidderminster Harriers (loan)Conference National101000020121
Total 272200010302
2010–11AFC Telford UnitedConference North234000000234
2011–12[57]Conference National0000000000
Total 234000000234
2011–12[58]AltrinchamConference North35101000203810
2012–13[59]3683100714610
2013–14[60]386000010396
2014–15Conference National377210020418
Total 14631620012112326
Career total 20638820015122941

International

As of match played 30 May 2010.[61]
International statistics
National team Year Apps Goals
Northern Ireland 2009 1 0
2010 2 0
Total 3 0

Honours

Northern Ireland under-19s

Port Vale

AFC Telford United

Altrincham

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Player Registrations" (PDF). thefa.com. March 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Profile". /altrinchamfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "9 – James Lawrie". port-vale.co.uk. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lawrie signs deal as Walker goes". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Player of the Year – Winners". Official Port Vale website. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  6. ↑ "Glover tips Lawrie as future star". BBC Sport. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  7. ↑ "Lawrie accepts players to blame". BBC Sport. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  8. ↑ "Vale boss praises striker Lawrie". BBC Sport. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Tuesday's gossip column". BBC Sport. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  10. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (24 July 2009). "Port Vale: Everton take Lawrie on trial". The Sentinel. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Lawrie still our player – Adams". BBC Sport. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  12. ↑ Shaw, Steve (28 July 2009). "Breaking News: Lawrie set to stay with Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  13. ↑ Shaw, Steve (29 July 2009). "Port Vale: Everton experience will boost Lawrie, says Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  14. ↑ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  15. ↑ "International striker to join Harriers". NonLeagueDaily. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  16. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers sign Port Vale's James Lawrie". BBC Sport. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  17. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers to keep striker James Lawrie". BBC Sport. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  18. ↑ "Port Vale release Lawrie, Howland, Richman & Edwards". BBC Sport. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  19. ↑ "Striker Lawrie is handed City trial". Express & Echo. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  20. ↑ "Triallist striker James Lawrie wants an Exeter City stay". Express and Echo. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  21. ↑ "Strikers looking sharp as City canter to friendly win". Express and Echo. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  22. ↑ "Keepers on Form in Friendly Draw". canaries.co.uk. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  23. ↑ "Kendal 1, Morecambe 4". morecambefc.com. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  24. ↑ "James Lawrie has burning ambition for Bucks". Shropshire Star. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  25. ↑ "AFC Telford sign Northern Ireland striker James Lawrie". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  26. ↑ Hudson, Chris (10 August 2010). "Bucks sign Northern Ireland's James Lawrie". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "AFC Telford United 5–0 Hyde United". BBC Sport. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  28. ↑ "AFC Telford striker James Lawrie vows to make impact". BBC Sport. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  29. ↑ "Adam Proudlock double leads AFC Telford to victory". BBC Sport. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  30. ↑ "AFC Telford 2–2 Hinckley United". BBC Sport. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  31. ↑ Hudson, Chris (24 January 2011). "James Lawrie wants Bucks' starting spot". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  32. ↑ "AFC Telford United winger Lawrie in fitness race". BBC Sport. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  33. ↑ "James Lawrie looks to join AFC Telford push". Shropshire Star. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  34. ↑ "Alty Borrow Lawrie". Non League News. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  35. ↑ "James Lawrie". altrinchamfc.co.uk. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  36. ↑ "Altrincham strike late in extra time to beat Guiseley in play-off final". BBC Sport. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  37. ↑ "NI Face Chile in Elite Final". nimilkcup.org. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  38. ↑ Shaw, Steve (24 April 2009). "Port Vale: Lawrie called up for Northern Ireland". The Sentinel. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  39. ↑ "Port Vale: Lawrie has bright international future, says Irish boss". The Sentinel. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  40. ↑ Shaw, Steve (8 May 2009). "Port Vale: Porter makes third bid for top job". The Sentinel. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  41. ↑ "Elite Report – Monday 27th July". nimilkcup.org. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  42. ↑ "Milk Cup: Bulgaria 0 Northern Ireland 3". The Belfast Telegraph. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  43. ↑ "Elite Final". nimilkcup.org. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  44. ↑ "Northern Ireland Milk Cup Roll of Honour 2009". nimilkcup.org. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  45. ↑ "Battling under-21s lose unbeaten run in Portugal". irishfa.com. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  46. ↑ "Lawrie has operation". port-vale.co.uk. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  47. ↑ "Lawrie scores for under-21s". port-vale.co.uk. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  48. ↑ "Iceland v. Northern Ireland". irishfa.com. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  49. ↑ "Port Vale: Lawrie named in Northern Ireland senior squad". The Sentinel. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  50. ↑ "Italy 3–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  51. ↑ "N Ireland 0–2 Turkey". BBC Sport. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  52. ↑ "James Lawrie (Audio)". BBC Radio Stoke. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  53. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
  54. ↑ "Games played by James Lawrie in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  55. ↑ "Games played by James Lawrie in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 "Games played by James Lawrie in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  57. ↑ "Games played by James Lawrie in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  58. ↑ "Stats". altrinchamfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  59. ↑ "Stats". altrinchamfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  60. ↑ "Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  61. ↑ "James Lawrie". National Football Teams. Retrieved 19 July 2014.

External links