Laurie Abrahams

Lawrence Adam Michael "Laurie" Abrahams (also spelt Lawrie; born 3 April 1953) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a striker in England, the United States, and Australia. In a career which lasted from 1977 to 1987, Abrahams played 283 career league games, and scored 142 league goals.

Playing career

Abrahams was born in Stepney, in the East End of London, and after an apprenticeship at Barking, he signed a professional contract in 1977 with Charlton Athletic. He spent one season at Charlton, making sixteen appearances. After leaving Charlton in 1978, Abrahams moved to the United States and played in the North American Soccer League for the New England Tea Men, Tulsa Roughnecks, and California Surf. The Surf folded at the end of the 1981 season and on 6 October 1981, the Tulsa Roughnecks selected Abrahahms in the Dispersal Draft. He played the 1982 and 1983 outdoor seasons in Tulsa followed by the 1983–1984 NASL indoor season. He was the Offensive MVP of 1983 NASL Grand Prix of Indoor Soccer, posting 12 goals and 6 assists in 8 games. In May 1984, the Roughnecks traded Abrahams to the San Diego Sockers in exchange for Peter Skouras and two used soccer balls. He began the season paired with Ade Coker up front, but was relegated to the bench after the Sockers acquired Steve Zungul and Branko Segota. On 17 October 1984, the Sockers sold Abrahams rights to the New York Cosmos for $25,000. The Cosmos entered the Major Indoor Soccer League in the fall of 1984, but sold his contract to the Kansas City Comets in January 1985. He remained with the Comets through the 1985–1986 season. Abrahams spent the 1986 season in Australia with the Melbourne Knights, where he made 9 appearances, before returning to America to play with the Wichita Wings during the 1986–1987 MISL season.

Coaching career

Abrahams is currently the Assistant Soccer Coach at Irvine Valley College.