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In two years, Jamie Lawrence went from playing football in prison to the Premier League.
We teamed up with our friends @planetfutebol to bring you his remarkable story
(THREAD)...
We teamed up with our friends @planetfutebol to bring you his remarkable story
(THREAD)...
Lawrence was born in Balham, south London, to Jamaican parents in 1970.
His life took a turn for the worst at 16, when his mother and step-father moved back to Jamaica. Lawrence stayed in London, falling into gang violence to make ends meet.
His life took a turn for the worst at 16, when his mother and step-father moved back to Jamaica. Lawrence stayed in London, falling into gang violence to make ends meet.
He was twice sent to prison for armed robbery, and it was at HMP Camp Hill on the Isle of Wight where Lawrence’s life turned around.
Starring for the prison team in a game against Cowes Sports, a deal was arranged to let him out at weekends to play for the side.
Starring for the prison team in a game against Cowes Sports, a deal was arranged to let him out at weekends to play for the side.
It became clear quickly that he had real talent.
Interest mounted as Lawrence’s release date approached in 1993, and through boxing promoter Ambrose Mendy- who he met in prison - several trials were arranged.
Fair to say Ambrose had a few contacts in the sporting world...
Interest mounted as Lawrence’s release date approached in 1993, and through boxing promoter Ambrose Mendy- who he met in prison - several trials were arranged.
Fair to say Ambrose had a few contacts in the sporting world...
Sunderland manager Terry Butcher took a chance on the 23-year-old after a reserve match against Leeds.
Signing a one-year deal, Lawrence made his debut a few days later at Middlesbrough in the tees-wear derby. At the stadium they played ‘Jailhouse Rock’ by Elvis Presley...
Signing a one-year deal, Lawrence made his debut a few days later at Middlesbrough in the tees-wear derby. At the stadium they played ‘Jailhouse Rock’ by Elvis Presley...
Butcher was sacked not long after re-signing himself as a player...
Lawrence was sold to Doncaster, but the midfielder impressed enough for Leicester to sign him.
17 months after coming out of prison Lawrence was in the Premier League.
Lawrence was sold to Doncaster, but the midfielder impressed enough for Leicester to sign him.
17 months after coming out of prison Lawrence was in the Premier League.
The Foxes got relegated in his first season but bounced straight back under Martin O’Neill and won the League Cup in 1997.
In search of regular game time, that summer Lawrence dropped down to Bradford, where the midfielder quickly became one of the most important players.
In search of regular game time, that summer Lawrence dropped down to Bradford, where the midfielder quickly became one of the most important players.
Brought to Valley Parade by Chris Kamara, Lawrence quickly became a fans’ favourite with his skill and constantly changing hair colour. Unbelievable Jeff.
Kamara’s successor Paul Jewell took Bradford up to the Premier League in 1998/99, with Lawrence key to promotion.
Kamara’s successor Paul Jewell took Bradford up to the Premier League in 1998/99, with Lawrence key to promotion.
In their first season Bradford pulled off one of the great escapes, winning three of their last four games to finish 17th.
This included beating Liverpool 1-0 on the final day of the season at Valley Parade!
This included beating Liverpool 1-0 on the final day of the season at Valley Parade!
Lawrence left Bradford in 2002, dropping down the leagues before nearly falling back into old habits.
Thankfully support of friends convinced him to stay on the right path. After a spell as Ghana's fitness coach he's now a personal trainer, including for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Thankfully support of friends convinced him to stay on the right path. After a spell as Ghana's fitness coach he's now a personal trainer, including for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
People say football is a matter of life or death, but for Lawrence this is truer than most.
“I was getting into a lot of stuff on the road. If it wasn’t for football, I'd probably be in prison doing life or I’d be dead. One of the two.”
What a story
https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/jamie-lawrence-from-prison-to-the-pl-to-loftus-cheeks-personal-trainer/
“I was getting into a lot of stuff on the road. If it wasn’t for football, I'd probably be in prison doing life or I’d be dead. One of the two.”
What a story
https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/jamie-lawrence-from-prison-to-the-pl-to-loftus-cheeks-personal-trainer/
