Lawrie Leslie

Lawrie Leslie

Personal information
Full name	Lawrence Grant Leslie
Date of birth	(1935-03-17) 17 March 1935
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
	Newtongrange Star
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1956–1959	Hibernian	75	(0)
1959–1961	Airdrieonians	42	(0)
1961–1963	West Ham United	57	(0)
1963–1966	Stoke City	78	(0)
1966–1968	Millwall	67	(0)
1968–1969	Southend United	13	(0)
Total		332	(0)
International career
1960–1961	Scotland	5	(0)
1960–1961	Scottish League XI	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lawrence Grant "Lawrie" Leslie (born 17 March 1935) is a retired Scottish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Hibernian, Airdrie, West Ham United, Stoke City, Millwall, Southend United and represented Scotland.

Club career

Scotland

Leslie began playing football with Hawkhill Amateurs. In the early 1950s, he turned semi-pro and joined Newtongrange Star. He played for his regimental side at Oswestry after joining the Artillery in 1956. After the war, Lawrie signed pro forms with Hibernian following a trial that war-time compatriot and Hibs player Jock Buchan had suggested he apply for. He was in the Hibs side that reached the 1958 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 1–0 to Clyde. After playing 98 matches for the Easter Road side he moved to Airdrie in November 1959 for £4,475 and became club captain. Leslie spent two seasons at Broomfield Park helping the "Diamonds" to two mid table finished in the Scottish First Division.

In English football

Leslie moved to West Ham United in 1961 for £14,000 and won 'Hammer of the Year' in 1962. He went on to make 61 league and cup appearances for the east London club. He joined Stoke City for a fee of £14,000 in October 1963 and in his first season with the club helped the reach the final of the League Cup. Leslie played in the first leg of the final the Stoke's Victoria Ground in a 1–1 draw but he was injured for the decisive second leg meaning that reserve 'keeper Bobby Irvine stepped in and Stoke lost 3–2. In the 1964–65 season Leslie made the number one spot his own as the missed just two matches out of 50. He lost his first choice status in 1965–66 due to the emergence of John Farmer and he left in the summer of 1966 for Millwall. He spent two season at The Den before finishing his career with Southend United.

After his retirement from playing, Leslie coached at Southend and later became Millwall's trainer. He has since been involved in coaching schools football.

International career

He won five caps for the Scottish national team while with Airdrie, all during the 1960–61 season. Leslie was due to play for Scotland in the infamous 9–3 defeat by England at Wembley. He was injured one week beforehand and Frank Haffey was selected instead.

Career statistics

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Hibernian	1956–57	Scottish First Division	12	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
	1957–58		33	0	7	0	6	0	46	0
	1958–59		30	0	4	0	6	0	40	0
	Total		75	0	11	0	12	0	98	0
Airdrieonians	1959–60	Scottish First Division
	1960–61
	Total		42	0					42	0
West Ham United	1961–62	First Division	37	0	1	0	1	0	39	0
	1962–63		20	0	0	0	2	0	20	0
	Total		57	0	1	0	3	0	61	0
Stoke City	1963–64	First Division	25	0	5	0	5	0	35	0
	1964–65		41	0	3	0	4	0	48	0
	1965–66		12	0	0	0	2	0	14	0
	Total		78	0	8	0	11	0	97	0
Millwall	1966–67	Second Division	42	0	2	0	2	0	46	0
	1967–68		25	0	1	0	2	0	28	0
	Total		67	0	3	0	4	0	74	0
Southend United	1968–69	Fourth Division	13	0	0	0	2	0	15	0
	Total		13	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
Career Total			332	0	23	0	30	0	385	0

References

Specific

General

External links

• Newcastle Fans profile
• Lawrie Leslie at westhamstats.info
• Lawrie Leslie at scottishfa.co.uk
• London Hearts profile