Jake Lawlor
Personal information
Full name Jacob Christopher Lawlor[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Halifax, England
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Darlington
Number 6
Youth career
Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Liversedge
0000–2012 Ossett Town
2012–2013 Harrogate Railway Athletic
2013–2018 Guiseley 186 (15)
2018 → AFC Fylde (loan) 6 (0)
2018 Salford City 0 (0)
2018–2020 Wrexham 65 (1)
2020–2021 Harrogate Town 17 (0)
2021–2022 Hartlepool United 1 (0)
2021 → Bromley (loan) 0 (0)
2021–2022 → Darlington (loan) 8 (0)
2022– Darlington[a] 82 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:23, 4 February 2024 (UTC)

Jacob Christopher Lawlor (born 8 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North club Darlington.

Lawlor played youth football for Manchester United, but was released at the age of 14, and subsequently played non-league football for Liversedge, Ossett Town and Harrogate Railway Athletic before joining Guiseley in 2013. He had a loan spell at AFC Fylde in 2018, before being released by Guiseley later that year and subsequently joining Salford City in July 2018. However, he joined Wrexham just two months later, having not made an appearance for Salford City. He was released by Wrexham in summer 2020 and joined newly promoted League Two side Harrogate Town. After only one season at Harrogate, Lawlor joined League Two club Hartlepool United.

Career

Early career

Lawlor was born in Halifax and grew up in Brighouse.[3] He played youth football with Manchester United but was released at the age of 14.[3] He played non-league football for Liversedge, joining the club at the age of 17, but left less than a year later to study at Sheffield Hallam University.[3][4] He joined Ossett Town at the age of 18.[3] After a few years at Ossett Town, he joined Harrogate Railway Athletic in summer 2012.[3]

Guiseley

In February 2013, Lawlor signed for Guiseley of the Conference North.[5][6] He made his debut for the club against Boston United on 9 February 2013.[7][8] In summer 2013, he extended his contract with the club for the 2013–14 season.[9] On 23 March 2018, he joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season.[10] He was released by Guiseley at the end of the season.[11]

Salford City and Wrexham

He joined National League club Salford City in July 2018,[12] before moving to fellow National League side Wrexham on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee in September 2018.[13] He was released by Wrexham at the beginning of July 2020.[14]

Harrogate Town

Lawlor signed for EFL League Two club Harrogate Town in August 2020.[2][14] He made 17 league appearances across the 2020–21 season,[7] but was released at the end of the season.[15]

Hartlepool United

Lawlor signed for Hartlepool United on 1 August 2021 following a successful trial period, with the length of his contract not disclosed by the club.[16][17] Lawlor made his Hartlepool debut as a late substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Barrow.[18] Lawlor joined National League club Bromley on a month-long loan on 22 September 2021,[19] but remained an unused substitute through his loan spell.[7]

Darlington

On 12 November 2021, Lawlor joined National League North club Darlington on loan for two months.[20] He was a regular member of the starting eleven, and Darlington's manager, Alun Armstrong, had expected the loan to be extended to the end of the season, but this did not happen.[21] On 19 January 2022, a week after the loan expired, Lawlor's contract with Hartlepool was terminated by mutual consent.[22] The following day, he signed for Darlington for the rest of the season,[23] and remained with the club for the 2022–23 campaign.[7]

After the dismissal of manager Alun Armstrong and assistant Darren Holloway on 6 September 2023, Lawlor was one of a group of three senior players tasked with covering managerial duties until an appointment was made.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 3 February 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Guiseley 2012–13[25] Conference North 10 1 — — 0 0 10 1
2013–14[26] Conference North 34 5 1 1 — 6[b] 0 41 6
2014–15[27] Conference North 41 3 3 0 — 6[c] 2 50 5
2015–16[7] National League 46 1 2 0 — 5[d] 0 53 1
2016–17[28] National League 34 3 2 0 — 2[d] 0 38 3
2017–18[7] National League 21 2 4 0 — 1[d] 0 26 2
Total 186 15 12 1 0 0 20 2 218 18
AFC Fylde (loan) 2017–18[7] National League 6 0 — — 1[e] 0 7 0
Wrexham 2018–19[7] National League 34 0 4 0 — 2[d] 0 40 0
2019–20[7] National League 31 1 4 0 — 1[f] 0 36 1
Total 65 1 8 0 0 0 3 0 76 1
Harrogate Town 2020–21[29] League Two 17 0 2 1 0 0 2[g] 0 21 1
Hartlepool United 2021–22[30] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[g] 0 2 0
Bromley (loan) 2021–22[7] National League 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Darlington 2021–22[7][h] National League North 27 2 0 0 — 1[d] 0 28 2
2022–23[7][31] National League North 39[a] 3 2 0 — 1[d] 0 42 3
2023–24[7][34] National League North 24 0 1 0 — 0 0 25 0
Total 90 5 3 0 — 2 0 95 5
Career total 365 21 25 2 0 0 29 0 419 24
  1. ^ a b For the visit to AFC Telford United on 1 November 2022, Soccerway lists the originally declared lineup, which included Lawlor;[32] however, he was injured in the warm-up and replaced in the starting eleven by Kaine Felix, so should have one league appearance fewer than listed by Soccerway.[33]
  2. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
  3. ^ Three appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in Conference North play-offs
  4. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  5. ^ Appearance in National League play-offs
  6. ^ Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  8. ^ Lawlor made eight league appearances and one in the FA Trophy in the 2021–22 season while on loan from Hartlepool United before signing a permanent contract with Darlington.[7][23]

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Harrogate Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 33. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b Howell, Rhys (11 August 2020). "Harrogate Town sign six-foot-four 'elegant' ball-playing central defender". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Howell, Rhys (27 August 2020). "I fell out of love with football after Manchester United release". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Confidence boosting win for Liversedge". The Press. North Kirklees. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Guiseley frustrated as Harrogate trip called off". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ Hamilton, Forrest (7 February 2013). "Guiseley strengthen squad for run in". Ilkley Gazette. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "J. Lawlor". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  8. ^ Whiting, Ian (14 February 2013). "More twists and turns on the way says Guiseley boss". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  9. ^ Marshall, Bill (6 June 2013). "Holdsworth signs two-year Lions deal as boss Kittrick continues to build squad". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Jake Lawlor: Guiseley defender joins AFC Fylde on season-long loan deal". BBC Sport. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Popular players Lawlor and Lowe among those leaving Guiseley". Yorkshire Evening Post. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Jake Lawlor set to sign for Salford City". Salford City F.C. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  13. ^ Griffiths, Rob (1 September 2018). "Wrexham AFC sign experienced defender Jake Lawlor from Salford City". Daily Post. Colwyn Bay. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  14. ^ a b Williams, Richard (12 August 2020). "Former Wrexham AFC defender Jake Lawlor signs for Harrogate Town". The Leader. Mold. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  15. ^ Howell, Rhys (14 May 2021). "Eight players to depart Harrogate Town upon expiry of their contracts". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  16. ^ Chandy, Alex (1 August 2021). "Pools sign Jake Lawlor". Hartlepool United F.C. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Jake Lawlor: Hartlepool sign striker Mark Cullen and defender Jake Lawlor". BBC Sport. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Barrow 3-2 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  19. ^ Jones, Matty (22 September 2021). "Darlington lose out on chase for Jake Lawlor as defender joins Bromley". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  20. ^ Luff, Kevin (12 November 2021). "Jake Lawlor signs on loan". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  21. ^ Stoddart, Craig (21 January 2022). "Lawlor escapes Pools purgatory to rejoin Darlington". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  22. ^ Chandy, Alex (1 August 2021). "Outgoings". Hartlepool United F.C. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  23. ^ a b Simpson, Ray (20 January 2022). "Jake signs for the rest of the season". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Club statement: Senior players take caretaker charge". Darlington F.C. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Guiseley AFC, 2012–13 appearances / goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Guiseley AFC, 2013–14 appearances / goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  27. ^ "Guiseley AFC, 2014–15 appearances / goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Guiseley AFC, 2016–17 appearances / goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Games played by Jake Lawlor in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Games played by Jake Lawlor in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  31. ^ For FA Cup: "Becky's hat trick puts Quakers into the next round". Darlington F.C. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
    Simpson, Ray (1 October 2022). "Quakers beaten by second half goal at Hyde". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  32. ^ "AFC Telford United vs. Darlington 1–4". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  33. ^ Simpson, Ray (1 November 2022). "Jack's great hat trick gives Quakers victory". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  34. ^ For FA Cup 2QR: "Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – Darlington 3–1 Workington AFC". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

External links

Darlington F.C. – current squad
2014–15 Conference North Team of the Year
Categories