James Lawrie

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

He scored on his Telford debut, in a 5–0 thumping of Hyde United on 14 August. Despite this he was forced to wait on the substitute bench for a number of weeks before earning his first start for the club. He got his second goal in November, against Droylsden, before getting a brace against Hinckley United in January. He hoped this brace would prove enough to win him a first-team place. However, the next month he was sidelined with an ankle injury, and struggled to regain his place in the side upon his recovery. 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. 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 permanently. 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.

He scored eight goals in 46 appearances in the 2014–15 season, as Altrincham finished 17th in the Conference Premier. He scored five goals in 50 games in the 2015–16 campaign, as Altrincham were relegated in 22nd place. He scored eight goals in 51 games in the 2016–17 campaign, however, the club continued to struggle and were relegated out of the National League North in last place after winning just four of their 42 league matches.

Northern Premier League Lawrie joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Hednesford Town in June 2017. The "Pitmen" finished 17th in the 2017–18 campaign and Lawrie scored seven goals in 35 starts and eight substitute appearances, being named as man of the match on two occasions. He lifted the Cheshire Senior Cup with the club after playing in the 5–2 final victory over Cammell Laird 1907. He also helped the "Dabbers" to reach the play-offs, where they were beaten by Warrington Town in the semi-finals. He scored eight goals and provided nine assists over 47 appearances in the 2018–19 season. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in England, the 2019–20 season was formally abandoned on 26 March 2020, with all results from the season being expunged. The 2020–21 season was also curtailed with only six games played on 24 February 2021. In September 2021, Lawrie was released by Nantwich, shortly after reaching 100 club appearances. The following month, he signed for league rivals Witton Albion. He featured 28 times in the 2021–22 campaign, scoring three goals, as Albion were relegated. Hanley finished 16th at the end of the 2022–23 season.

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". 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. Upon announcing the teenagers call-up manager Nigel Worthington stated his belief that Lawrie would earn a full cap in the future. He came on as a 31st minute substitute.

Following his senior debut, he continued at youth level in the 2009 Northern Ireland Youth Soccer Tournament, Lawrie scored the under-19's last minute winner over Germany at the Riada Stadium, the game finishing 3–2. Two days later he scored the opener of a 3–0 win over Bulgaria. In the final, the Irish beat Denmark 2–0, Lawrie providing the cross for Josh Magennis to score the opener. Lawrie came away with the Player of the Tournament award "The One". His fourth under-21 cap came on 12 August 2009, as he won a penalty in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Portugal. The next month he missed out on further call-ups to the under-21 squad, as he had an operation to remove his appendix. He returned to the squad following his recovery, scoring in a 2–1 defeat in Iceland in the 2011 under-21 Euro qualifier.

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. He picked up his first senior cap in the game, coming on as a late substitute as the Italians came out 3–0 winners. His second cap came a year later in a friendly with Turkey.

Career statistics

Club

International + International statistics National team Year Apps GoalsNorthern Ireland 2009 1 0 2010 2 0 Total 3 0

Honours Northern Ireland under-19s Milk Cup: 2009

AFC Telford United Conference North play-offs: 2010–11

Altrincham Conference North play-offs: 2013–14

Nantwich Town Cheshire Senior Cup: 2019

Individual Milk Cup Player of the Tournament: 2009