Quick Facts
Biography
Jamie Lawrence (born 8 March 1970) is a football coach and former professional player.
He played as a right winger for Cowes Sports, Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Bradford City, Walsall, Wigan Athletic, Grimsby Town, Brentford, Fisher Athletic, Worthing, Harrow Borough, Margate, Ashford Town (where he was player-manager), Banstead Athletic and Cobham
Born in England, he represented Jamaica at international level.
Early and personal life
Lawrence was born in Balham, London. His parents were from Jamaica. As a youth he served two prison sentences.
Playing career
Club career
He began his career in non-league with Cowes Sports in 1992, before turning professional with Sunderland. He made his professional debut for Sunderland on 20 October 1993. He also played professionally for Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Bradford City, Walsall, Wigan Athletic, Grimsby Town and Brentford. While playing with Leicester he appeared as a substitute in the 1997 Football League Cup Final replay.
He later played non-league football with Fisher Athletic, Worthing, Harrow Borough, Margate, Ashford Town, Banstead Athletic and Cobham. While playing for Harrow Borough he cut his knee during a match, and later contracted MRSA.
International career
Lawrence earned 24 caps for Jamaica between 2000 and 2004, scoring 1 goal. He appeared in 11 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Coaching career
Lawrence was player-manager of Ashford Town between November 2009 and June 2011.
In December 2014 he signed a six-week contract with the Ghana national team, to be their fitness coach for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, having previously worked in a similar role with Sutton United.
Other endeavours
His autobiography From Prison to Premiership was released in 2006. It was re-released as an e-book in 2013.
Lawrence started the Jamie Lawrence Football Academy in Tooting 2008.
Honours
- Leicester City
- League Cup: 1997