Alan Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Alan Lawrence fondly known as “Nipper”, is a former Scottish
footballer best known for his time spent with Airdrieonians
and Heart of Midlothian
in the early and mid-1990s. He is currently a coach working with Airdrie United
in the Scottish Second Division.
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.
in the summer of 1998.
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.
. He rejoined Airdrie in 2002, but made no appearances. He also spent two years with Arbroath
, playing three games.
In 2006, Alan coached junior side Bathgate Thistle
to the final of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup
, where they were narrowly defeated by Auchinleck Talbot
.
, in 2000, alongside The Godfather
star Robert Duvall
and Michael Keaton
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer best known for his time spent with Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
and Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in the early and mid-1990s. He is currently a coach working with Airdrie United
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
in the Scottish Second Division.
Early career
Lawrence made his senior debut with the now defunct 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 DundeeDundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
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
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
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.
To Hearts And Back
Further success at Airdrie saw Lawrence signed by Hearts for the following season. Only a year later however, after 34 appearances and 7 goals, 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 StenhousemuirStenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
in the summer of 1998.
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 RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
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
Montrose F.C.
Montrose Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team, based in the town of Montrose, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.- Early years :...
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
Ochilview Park
Ochilview Park is a football stadium in Stenhousemuir, Scotland. It is the home ground of Stenhousemuir who currently share it with local rivals East Stirlingshire.-History:...
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.
The Post-Ochilview Years
Over the next few years, Lawrence acted as player-coach at CowdenbeathCowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
. He rejoined Airdrie in 2002, but made no appearances. He also spent two years with Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
, playing three games.
In 2006, Alan coached junior side Bathgate Thistle
Bathgate Thistle F.C.
Bathgate Thistle F.C. are a Scottish junior football club, based in the town of Bathgate, West Lothian. They play in the Scottish Junior Football Association's East Region Super League....
to the final of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup
Scottish Junior Cup
The Scottish Junior Cup, known as The Emirates Junior Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual football competition organised by the Scottish Junior Football Association for all its member clubs. The competition has been held every year since the inception of the SJFA in 1886 and as of the...
, where they were narrowly defeated by Auchinleck Talbot
Auchinleck Talbot F.C.
Auchinleck Talbot F.C. are a Scottish football club based in Auchinleck, near Cumnock, Ayrshire. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, they currently compete in the SJFA West Super League Premier Division...
.
Trivia
Lawrence made an appearance in the Scottish football film A Shot at GloryA Shot at Glory
A Shot at Glory is a film by Michael Corrente produced in 1999 and released in 2001, starring Robert Duvall and the Scottish football player Ally McCoist. It had limited commercial and critical success. The film features the fictional Scottish football club Kilnockie, as they attempt to reach their...
, in 2000, alongside The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
star Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
and Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
.