Joe Laidlaw

Who is Joe Laidlaw?

Joe Laidlaw was a combative midfielder who played for six English league clubs over a 15-year period spanning three decades. He was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a wing-half and ending it as a midfielder despite playing a similar role throughout. He was born in Whickham and started playing locally for Swalwell before becoming an apprentice at Middlesbrough. He signed his first professional contract in August 1967 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the club. In July 1972 he moved onto begin a four year stint with Carlisle before a three year spell with Billy Bremner’s Doncaster Rovers. In June 1979 he moved to Portsmouth for a fee of 15,000 GBP. Appointed club captain he quickly became a firm favourite with the Fratton Faithful. In a memorable roller-coaster first season he led Pompey to promotion, this being achieved on the last day of the season after the club beat Northampton 2–0 and Bradford lost 1–0 to Peterborough. The following December Laidlaw was sold to Hereford for 15,000GBP, his last match having been a 1–0 defeat at Barnsley the preceding month. Laidlaw played a further 62 league games for The Bulls scoring 8 goals before ending his career with a very brief spell at Mansfield. After his professional career ended he returned to the south coast to live, and has managed Fareham Town and Chichester City United F.C.