Full name Lawrence Grant Leslie 1956–1959 Hibernian Position Goalkeeper Years Team Height 1.91 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Lawrie Leslie | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1935-03-17) 17 March 1935 (age 80) | ||
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
Lawrence Grant Leslie (born 17 March 1935) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Hibernian, Airdrie, West Ham United, Stoke City, Millwall, Southend United and represented Scotland.
Contents
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.