Alan Lawrence

Alan Lawrence (born 19 August 1962 in Edinburgh),[1] fondly known as "Nipper",[2] is a Scottish former footballer, best known for his time spent with Airdrieonians and Heart of Midlothian in the early and mid-1990s. He also worked as a coach with Airdrie United in the Scottish First and Second Divisions.

Alan Lawrence
Personal information
Date of birth (1962-08-19) 19 August 1962
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position(s) Striker
Winger
Wingback
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1987 Meadowbank Thistle 102 (23)
1987–1989 Dundee 36 (2)
1989–1995 Airdrieonians 204 (49)
1995–1996 Heart of Midlothian 26 (5)
1996–1997 Airdrieonians 12 (3)
1997–1998 Partick Thistle 17 (3)
1998–2000 Stenhousemuir 68 (7)
2000–2002 Cowdenbeath 45 (4)
2002 Airdrieonians 0 (0)
Total 510 (96)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early career

Lawrence made his senior debut with local club Meadowbank Thistle. Having found a foothold in the professional game as a diminutive, nippy striker, he was soon on the way up, signing for Dundee late in the 1986–87 season. Further goalscoring exploits there saw him move to Airdrieonians two years later, where although being used chiefly as a forward, he would also be deployed as a winger. Lawrence's consistent performances in an era when Airdrie reached a Scottish Cup Final in 1992, and subsequently made their only foray into European football in their history the following season, cemented his place as a legend with the Airdrie faithful. In all, 'Nipper' would go on to make over 200 appearances for the Diamonds, scoring over 50 goals, culminating in a second Scottish Cup final appearance in 1995, again ending in defeat.

To Hearts and back

Further success at Airdrie saw Lawrence signed by Hearts in summer 1995. Only a year later however, after 34 appearances and 7 goals (plus a third losing Scottish Cup Final appearance) he was on his way back to Airdrie, where he spent another year and a half. In December 1997, he was released to Partick Thistle, scoring three goals in seventeen league appearances. His short tenure at Firhill ended when he signed for Third Division side Stenhousemuir in the summer of 1998.[1]

Stenhousemuir 1998–2000

Alan's two years with "The Warriors" are fondly remembered. He burst onto the scene at Ochilview with a hatful of crucial goals, most notably a hat-trick in a 5–1 trouncing of Albion Rovers, as the club chased promotion. It was in mid-season however, with a surplus of strikers and shortages elsewhere in the squad, that Nipper was moved to right-back, where it was thought his experience of playing as a winger would benefit the team. He did not disappoint, turning in solid performances week in, week out, including a Scottish Cup tie against Rangers in January 1999, in which the team performed admirably. The move to defence didn't dampen his appetite for goals either, and he chipped in with some vital strikes in the club's hunt for promotion. Indeed, his last minute volley to win at Montrose late in the season set the tone for Stenhousemuir's promotion just a matter of weeks later, the first in the club's history.

His second season at Ochilview was tougher, as it was for all involved with the club, as the inevitable battle to stave off relegation ensued. Stenhousemuir would survive that season, but despite this, his close relationship with the fans, and his desire to stay, Alan departed in August 2000 following an alleged difference of opinion with the club's board of directors.

Late playing career and coaching

Over the next few years, Lawrence acted as player-coach at Cowdenbeath. He rejoined Airdrie in 2002,[2] but made no appearances.[1] He also spent two years with Arbroath, playing three games.[1]

In 2006, Lawrence coached junior side Bathgate Thistle to the final of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup, where they were narrowly defeated by Auchinleck Talbot.[3] Bathgate and Lawrence eventually got their hands on the trophy in 2008, beating Cumnock in the final.[4]

Personal life

Lawrence made an appearance in the Scottish football film A Shot at Glory in 2000, alongside The Godfather star Robert Duvall, Michael Keaton and Ally McCoist.[5]

After being at Airdrie United for several years as assistant coach, in June 2012 Lawrence left the club citing "work commitments". However it was later reported that he had resigned from being a postman and was under investigation by The Royal Mail for mail theft.[6] In February 2014, having pleaded guilty to the offence, he was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work.[7]

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See also

References
  1. Alan Lawrence details and stats at soccerbase.com
  2. FOOTBALL: Golden oldie Nipper back to help Airdrie. Daily Record, 30 March 2002. Available online at Free Online Library
  3. Thistle coach is walking on sunshine – Edinburgh Evening News, 30 May 2008
  4. Bathgate Thistle 2-1 Cumnock Juniors: Hill's long quest rewarded by Scottish Junior Cup final win – Edinburgh Evening News, 1 June 2008
  5. A Shot at Glory – Movie review moviegazette.org
  6. Theft investigation as Airdrie legend quits job, Daily Record, 26 June 2013
  7. Ex-football star Alan Lawrence admits postal theft, BBC News, 19 February 2014
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