Lawrie Sanchez
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez (born 22 October 1959) is a former Northern Irish
football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet.
The defining moment of his playing career came in the 1988 FA Cup Final, when he scored the winning goal for Wimbledon
, producing one of the biggest Cup upsets against Liverpool
.
ian father and a Northern Irish
mother. He was educated at Presentation College, a grammar school
in Reading
, Berkshire, and went on to take a BSc degree in management science at Loughborough University
while a Reading F.C.
player. He was married to Heather, who died of cancer in 1998; the couple had a son, Jack. Lawrie now lives in Swallowfield, Reading with his partner Claire and son Jack. In 2004, Sanchez became patron of a Northern Ireland-based cancer charity.
, between 1977 and 1984, before moving to Wimbledon
for £30,000. He scored the goal that got the Dons promoted to the First Division
in 1986. His most famous moment as a player came in 1988, when he scored the goal that won Wimbledon the FA Cup
in 1988
against Liverpool
, a match widely believed to be one of the biggest cup final upsets in history. It was not an easy game, as Peter Beardsley
had found the net 10 minutes before Sanchez scored, only to have his goal disallowed. Liverpool came close to jeopardising Wimbledon's dream again in the second half when they were awarded a penalty, only for John Aldridge's
shot to be saved by Dons goalkeeper Dave Beasant
.
During the 1993–94 season Sanchez left Wimbledon for newly promoted Swindon Town
, who ended the season relegated with a mere five wins from 42 games and conceding 100 goals.
He is believed to be the first player to be sent off
for a professional foul
, after committing a deliberate handball in a Football League Trophy
match against Oxford United
in 1982.
(Ecuador
ian father), but declined on the grounds of distance.
club Sligo Rovers
in 1994, and in his first season led them to the semi-final of the 1995 FAI Cup
. He also managed them in the Cup Winners' Cup against Club Brugge
in his first season in charge. After two years with the reserves he stepped up to first team coach under Joe Kinnear
.
in February 1999,and with only 18 games left he rescued the team from imminent relegation. It was on the way to the last game of this season at Lincoln that the club bought The Lucky Wycombe Comanche
. In 2001, he guided the club (then in the Second Division
) to its greatest moment, playing Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals; Wycombe lost 2–1, having held Liverpool to 0–0 for most of the match.
After finishing 12th in 2002 and 11th in 2003, the upward progress came to an end with collapse of the OnDigital TV deal and the subsequent loss of both revenue and subsequently players. After a poor start to the 2003–04 season Sanchez was sacked by the club on 30 September 2003.
in January 2004. At that point the side was ranked 124th in the world, had a 1,298 minute-long goal drought, and had not won a game for nearly three years. Northern Ireland improved markedly under Sanchez. By the time he left Northern Ireland were top of their Euro 2008 qualification group
and reached an all-time high position of 27th in the world.
Notable results during his tenure included a 1–0 victory against England
in a World Cup
qualifying match, a 1–1 draw against Portugal
, who went on to reach the World Cup 2006 semi-finals, a 2–1 win over Sweden
and a 3–2 win against eventual Euro 2008 winners Spain
in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, with striker David Healy
scoring a hat trick
. A book about his achievements with Northern Ireland was published in November 2007.
following the sacking of Chris Coleman
in April 2007. Having achieved his 32 day task of maintaining Fulham's Premier League position he was given the manager's job on a longer contract having first to resign from his position with Northern Ireland.
Sanchez signed four Northern Ireland players, David Healy
from Leeds United, Steven Davis
and Aaron Hughes
both from Aston Villa
, and Chris Baird
from Southampton
.
He left Fulham in December 2007 after a last minute penalty led to a home defeat to Newcastle. This defeat pushed Fulham into the relegation places after a miserable run of form.
as football consultant, to assist caretaker-manager Giuliano Grazioli
in their ultimately successful battle against relegation from the Football League. On 13 May 2011, Barnet appointed Sanchez as manager of the club, with Grazioli as his assistant.
Reading
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet.
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
The defining moment of his playing career came in the 1988 FA Cup Final, when he scored the winning goal for Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, producing one of the biggest Cup upsets against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Personal life
Sanchez was born in London, the son of an EcuadorEcuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian father and a Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
mother. He was educated at Presentation College, a grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Berkshire, and went on to take a BSc degree in management science at Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
while a Reading F.C.
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
player. He was married to Heather, who died of cancer in 1998; the couple had a son, Jack. Lawrie now lives in Swallowfield, Reading with his partner Claire and son Jack. In 2004, Sanchez became patron of a Northern Ireland-based cancer charity.
Club career
Sanchez had first played for ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, between 1977 and 1984, before moving to Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
for £30,000. He scored the goal that got the Dons promoted to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1986. His most famous moment as a player came in 1988, when he scored the goal that won Wimbledon the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1988
FA Cup Final 1988
The 1988 FA Cup Final took place on 14 May 1988 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Wimbledon, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions....
against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, a match widely believed to be one of the biggest cup final upsets in history. It was not an easy game, as Peter Beardsley
Peter Beardsley
Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain...
had found the net 10 minutes before Sanchez scored, only to have his goal disallowed. Liverpool came close to jeopardising Wimbledon's dream again in the second half when they were awarded a penalty, only for John Aldridge's
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
shot to be saved by Dons goalkeeper Dave Beasant
Dave Beasant
David John "Dave" Beasant, is a retired English football goalkeeper who began his career in the late 1970s. A well-travelled player, Beasant's former clubs include Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan...
.
During the 1993–94 season Sanchez left Wimbledon for newly promoted Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, who ended the season relegated with a mere five wins from 42 games and conceding 100 goals.
He is believed to be the first player to be sent off
Misconduct (football)
Misconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
for a professional foul
Professional foul
In sports, a professional foul is a deliberate act of foul play, usually to prevent an opponent's scoring.-Association football:The concept gained notoriety in association football after an infamous incident in the 1980 FA Cup Final when Willie Young of Arsenal committed a deliberate foul on Paul...
, after committing a deliberate handball in a Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
match against Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in 1982.
International career
Sanchez won three international caps for Northern Ireland, qualifying by virtue of his Northern Irish mother. He had also been invited to try out for the Ecuadorian national teamEcuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
(Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian father), but declined on the grounds of distance.
Sligo Rovers
He became player-manager of League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
club Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
in 1994, and in his first season led them to the semi-final of the 1995 FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
. He also managed them in the Cup Winners' Cup against Club Brugge
Wimbledon
In 1995, he returned to Wimbledon and became reserve team manager, winning the Football CombinationFootball Combination
The Football Combination , is a football competition for the reserve teams of English Football League clubs from Southern England and Wales...
in his first season in charge. After two years with the reserves he stepped up to first team coach under Joe Kinnear
Joe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
.
Wycombe Wanderers
Sanchez became manager at Wycombe WanderersWycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
in February 1999,and with only 18 games left he rescued the team from imminent relegation. It was on the way to the last game of this season at Lincoln that the club bought The Lucky Wycombe Comanche
Lucky Wycombe Comanche
The Lucky Wycombe Comanche was the lucky mascot for Wycombe Wanderers Football Club for a number of years in the early 2000s.On the final game of the 1999-2000 season the team faced a tricky game away at Lincoln City. Earlier in the season when Lawrie Sanchez took over after the departure Neil...
. In 2001, he guided the club (then in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
) to its greatest moment, playing Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals; Wycombe lost 2–1, having held Liverpool to 0–0 for most of the match.
After finishing 12th in 2002 and 11th in 2003, the upward progress came to an end with collapse of the OnDigital TV deal and the subsequent loss of both revenue and subsequently players. After a poor start to the 2003–04 season Sanchez was sacked by the club on 30 September 2003.
Northern Ireland national team
Sanchez was appointed manager of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
in January 2004. At that point the side was ranked 124th in the world, had a 1,298 minute-long goal drought, and had not won a game for nearly three years. Northern Ireland improved markedly under Sanchez. By the time he left Northern Ireland were top of their Euro 2008 qualification group
2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying Group F
-Standings:Key:*Teams highlighted in green qualified for the finalsNotes on the qualified teams:*Spain secured qualification to the tournament proper on 17 November 2007 following a 3–0 win against Sweden, becoming the tenth team in the whole of the qualification stage to do so*Sweden secured...
and reached an all-time high position of 27th in the world.
Notable results during his tenure included a 1–0 victory against 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...
in 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...
qualifying match, a 1–1 draw against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, who went on to reach the World Cup 2006 semi-finals, a 2–1 win over 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 a 3–2 win against eventual Euro 2008 winners Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, with striker David Healy
David Healy (footballer)
David Jonathan Healy, MBE is a Northern Ireland international footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League champions Rangers...
scoring a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
. A book about his achievements with Northern Ireland was published in November 2007.
Fulham
While still manager of Northern Ireland, Sanchez was named as caretaker manager of FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
following the sacking of Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman (footballer)
Christopher "Chris" Coleman is a Welsh football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Greek Side Larissa....
in April 2007. Having achieved his 32 day task of maintaining Fulham's Premier League position he was given the manager's job on a longer contract having first to resign from his position with Northern Ireland.
Sanchez signed four Northern Ireland players, David Healy
David Healy
David Healy may refer to:*David Healy , Northern Irish footballer*David Healy , Irish psychiatrist*David Healy , Irish politician...
from Leeds United, Steven Davis
Steven Davis
Steven Davis is a Northern Irish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team...
and Aaron Hughes
Aaron Hughes
Aaron William Hughes is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham. Hughes is able to play centre back, right back or left back, as well as anywhere in midfield. He is usually deployed in a centre half position for his club and country, and is the current Northern Ireland captain...
both from Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, and Chris Baird
Chris Baird
Christopher Patrick "Chris" Baird is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham and the Northern Ireland national football team.-Southampton:...
from Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
He left Fulham in December 2007 after a last minute penalty led to a home defeat to Newcastle. This defeat pushed Fulham into the relegation places after a miserable run of form.
Barnet
With four matches of the 2010–11 season remaining, Sanchez joined BarnetBarnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
as football consultant, to assist caretaker-manager Giuliano Grazioli
Giuliano Grazioli
Giuliano Stephano Grazioli is a former English footballer of Italian descent who played as a striker from 1995 until 2009, notably for Barnet where he is currently employed as Assistant Manager....
in their ultimately successful battle against relegation from the Football League. On 13 May 2011, Barnet appointed Sanchez as manager of the club, with Grazioli as his assistant.
Honours
WimbledonWimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
- F.A. Cup winner – 1988FA Cup Final 1988The 1988 FA Cup Final took place on 14 May 1988 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Wimbledon, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions....
Reading
- Division 4 Champions 1978–79
- Promoted from 4th Division 1983–84
Managerial stats
As of 25 November 2011| Team | Country | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Wycombe Wanderers Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play... |
 |
5 February 1999 | 30 September 2003 | 255 | 87 | 97 | 71 | 34.11 |
| Northern Ireland Northern Ireland national football team The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association... |
 |
21 January 2004 | 11 May 2007 | 32 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 34.37 |
| Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
|
11 April 2007 | 21 December 2007 | 24 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 16.67 |
| Barnet Barnet F.C. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet.... |
|
13 May 2011 | Present | 25 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 40.00 |
External links
- Lawrie Sanchez Biography on the Irish Football AssociationIrish Football AssociationThe Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
website