James Lawrie - Club Career

Club Career

Lawrie worked his way through the Port Vale youth team and in July 2007 was offered his first professional contract. 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. Following that game manager Dean Glover stated his belief that Lawrie had a bright future in football and two days later signed Lawrie up to a two-and-a-half year deal. 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. On 4 April he gained his second club goal in a 1–1 draw with Bury, again impressing with his performance.

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. Vale chairman Bill Bratt did in fact give permission for a trial, Lawrie spending the last week of July with the "Toffees", though manager Micky Adams denied it being a trial per se. Regardless of semantics, nothing came of the week at Goodison Park, Everton having apparently ended their interest in the young striker. Adams believed the experience benefited the player: "All these experiences can help James and benefit him in the long term." 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.

Lawrie joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one month loan in February 2010. 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, 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.

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.

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 on a permanent basis. The club missed out on the play-offs by 11 points in 2011–12.