Dennis Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Dennis Lawrence is a former Trinidad and Tobago
football player who is currently part of the coaching staff for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.
and Carlos Edwards
. Before signing for Wrexham, he had trials at Newcastle United
and Bolton Wanderers
.
After some poor performances when he first joined the club, Lawrence went on to become a valued and popular player at the Welsh club, winning the 2003–04 Player of the Season award. He has also become the first Wrexham player to play at a World Cup
, starting all three of his country's games.
He signed for Swansea City
on 16 August 2006 after Swansea had lost central defender and skipper Garry Monk
to injury. He made an impressive Swansea debut in a 2–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
winning the Man of the Match award.
On the 30th September 2008 it was announced he had joined Crewe Alexandra
on a 4 month loan until January. On 30 December 2008 the loan was extened until the end of the 2008–09 campaign, but he returned to the Liberty Stadium at the end of his loan spell on May 2.
Lawrence was released from his contract after two years with Swansea City
on May 4, with his former loan employers Crewe Alexandra
interested in a permanent move.
In September 2009 He signed a deal to play for San Juan Jabloteh
in his native Trinidad.
On 18 March 2010 Wrexham manager Dean Saunders
revealed that Lawrence was training at his former club along with fellow former Swansea player Kristian O'Leary
.
, having made his debut on 18 March 2000. He was awarded the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award at the 2001 Caribbean Cup
, which Trinidad and Tobago won. On 16 November 2005, he (in his 61st cap) scored the goal against Bahrain
that awarded Trinidad and Tobago a ticket to the 2006 World Cup
. He played every minute of his country's campaign in Germany as the Soca Warriors secured an impressive 0–0 draw against Sweden
and gave England
a run for their money.
He is also the player who approached Port Vale
's Chris Birchall
and asked him if he was interested in representing Trinidad and Tobago (Chris' mother was born there).
After a failed qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, Lawrence, who had succeeded Dwight Yorke
as national captain, announced his retirement from international football with 89 caps under his belt.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
football player who is currently part of the coaching staff for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.
Club career
Lawrence signed for Wrexham for a fee of £100,000 in 2001, joining from Defence Force of his native Trinidad, becoming the third Trinidadian at Wrexham along with Hector SamHector Sam
Hector McLeod Sam is a Trinidadian former international footballer striker, who now plays for his hometown side San Juan Jabloteh....
and Carlos Edwards
Carlos Edwards
Akenhaton Carlos Edwards , more commonly known as Carlos Edwards, is a Trinidadian footballer who plays for Ipswich Town as a midfielder.-Club career:...
. Before signing for Wrexham, he had trials at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
After some poor performances when he first joined the club, Lawrence went on to become a valued and popular player at the Welsh club, winning the 2003–04 Player of the Season award. He has also become the first Wrexham player to play at a World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, starting all three of his country's games.
He signed for Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on 16 August 2006 after Swansea had lost central defender and skipper Garry Monk
Garry Monk
Garry Alan Monk is an English professional footballer, currently playing as a central defender for Swansea City. He has played for England at Under-17 level.-Early career:...
to injury. He made an impressive Swansea debut in a 2–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
winning the Man of the Match award.
On the 30th September 2008 it was announced he had joined Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on a 4 month loan until January. On 30 December 2008 the loan was extened until the end of the 2008–09 campaign, but he returned to the Liberty Stadium at the end of his loan spell on May 2.
Lawrence was released from his contract after two years with Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on May 4, with his former loan employers Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
interested in a permanent move.
In September 2009 He signed a deal to play for San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh is a football club located in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago that currently plays in the country's Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.- History :...
in his native Trinidad.
On 18 March 2010 Wrexham manager Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders
Dean Nicholas Saunders is a former Wales international footballer who played as a striker in a professional career which lasted from 1982 until 2001. He is the manager of Doncaster Rovers....
revealed that Lawrence was training at his former club along with fellow former Swansea player Kristian O'Leary
Kristian O'Leary
Kristian Denis O'Leary is a Welsh footballer who plays for Neath.-Career:Born in Port Talbot, O'Leary began his career as a trainee at Swansea City, having signed for the club as a schoolboy at the age of 14 in 1992. He made his professional debut for the club during the 1995–96 season...
.
Coaching
Lawrence is currently part of the coaching staff at Premier League side Wigan Athletic.International career
Lawrence has been an important player for the Trinidad and Tobago national teamTrinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
, having made his debut on 18 March 2000. He was awarded the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award at the 2001 Caribbean Cup
Caribbean Cup
The Caribbean Cup, formerly known as the Copa Caribe, is the championship tournament for national association football teams that are members of the Caribbean Football Union. The first competition was contested in 1989 in Barbados. The Caribbean Cup also serves as a qualification tournament among...
, which Trinidad and Tobago won. On 16 November 2005, he (in his 61st cap) scored the goal against Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
that awarded Trinidad and Tobago a ticket to the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. He played every minute of his country's campaign in Germany as the Soca Warriors secured an impressive 0–0 draw against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and gave England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
a run for their money.
He is also the player who approached Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
's Chris Birchall
Chris Birchall
Christopher "Chris" Birchall CM is an English-born Trinidadian footballer who currently plays in midfield for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy....
and asked him if he was interested in representing Trinidad and Tobago (Chris' mother was born there).
After a failed qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, Lawrence, who had succeeded Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
as national captain, announced his retirement from international football with 89 caps under his belt.
International Goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Goals | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 May 2001 | Hasely Crawford Stadium Hasely Crawford Stadium The Hasely Crawford Stadium, located in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is named after Hasely Crawford, the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to win an Olympic gold medal. Originally built as the National Stadium in 1980, the stadium was re-named to honour Crawford in 2001. The stadium... , Port of Spain Port of Spain Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population... , Trinidad & Tobago |
1 | 1–2 | Caribbean Cup Caribbean Cup The Caribbean Cup, formerly known as the Copa Caribe, is the championship tournament for national association football teams that are members of the Caribbean Football Union. The first competition was contested in 1989 in Barbados. The Caribbean Cup also serves as a qualification tournament among... |
|
| 2. | 25 May 2005 | Hasely Crawford Stadium Hasely Crawford Stadium The Hasely Crawford Stadium, located in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is named after Hasely Crawford, the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to win an Olympic gold medal. Originally built as the National Stadium in 1980, the stadium was re-named to honour Crawford in 2001. The stadium... , Port of Spain Port of Spain Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population... , Trinidad & Tobago |
1 | 4–0 | Friendly | |
| 3. | 4 June 2005 | Hasely Crawford Stadium Hasely Crawford Stadium The Hasely Crawford Stadium, located in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is named after Hasely Crawford, the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to win an Olympic gold medal. Originally built as the National Stadium in 1980, the stadium was re-named to honour Crawford in 2001. The stadium... , Port of Spain Port of Spain Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population... , Trinidad & Tobago |
1 | 2–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifier 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for North, Central America and the Caribbean. A total of 34 teams took part , competing for 3.5 places in the World Cup.The qualification process was divided in three stages... |
|
| 4. | 16 November 2005 | Bahrain National Stadium Bahrain National Stadium The Bahrain National Stadium is the national stadium of Bahrain, located in East Riffa. It can accommodate 35,000 people and is used mostly for football matches. It was built in 1982. Various aspects of the stadium will be renovated, such as the seats and roof.-External links:**... , Riffa, Bahrain Bahrain ' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is... |
1 | 1–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifier 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for North, Central America and the Caribbean. A total of 34 teams took part , competing for 3.5 places in the World Cup.The qualification process was divided in three stages... |
|
| 5. | 3 September 2008 | Hasely Crawford Stadium Hasely Crawford Stadium The Hasely Crawford Stadium, located in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is named after Hasely Crawford, the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to win an Olympic gold medal. Originally built as the National Stadium in 1980, the stadium was re-named to honour Crawford in 2001. The stadium... , Port of Spain Port of Spain Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population... , Trinidad & Tobago |
1 | 3–0 | Friendly |
Honours
- Copa Caribe 2001 – MVP player of the Tournament.
- Wrexham – player of the season for the 2003–04 season.