Laurie Scott (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Lawrence "Laurie" Scott (23 April 1917 – 7 July 1999) was an English
footballer.
Born in Sheffield
, Scott joined Bradford City
as a youth player, and played 39 times for the Bantams, mostly as a winger
. In February 1937 he was signed by Arsenal
, though he only played as a reserve for the first two years at the club. At the start of World War II
, Scott joined the Royal Air Force
as a PT instructor, but still guested as a player for the RAF, Arsenal and England
in wartime matches.
By the time peace broke out, Scott had grown into being one of the country's most assured full backs, known for his pace and composure on the ball. He made his official first-team debut for Arsenal against West Ham United
in the FA Cup
in 1946, and his League debut on the first day of the 1946-47
season; he also made his official England debut against Ireland in September of that year. Arsenal won the First Division
title in 1947-48
, but after that Scott was blighted by injury; he was stricken with a bout of appendicitis
in 1948, and then injured his knee whilst playing in an international for England against Wales
on 10 November 1948.
Scott was out for the rest of the 1948-49
season and his appearances for Arsenal were limited for the next few seasons. However, he still figured in Arsenal's 1950 FA Cup-winning side and after a successful run in the England B
side, he was picked for England's squad for the 1950 FIFA World Cup
. By now though, he was 33, and had not played for his country for two years; England's first choice right-back for the entire tournament was Alf Ramsey
, and Scott did not play a single minute. In 1950-51
Scott played 17 matches for Arsenal, but with his injury often recurring, he was no longer automatic first-team choice, sharing the right-back position with Walley Barnes
. In all he played for Arsenal in 127 official matches (and 191 unofficial wartime matches), and 17 times for England (plus 16 wartime caps).
He joined Crystal Palace
as player-manager in October 1951. He managed the Eagles (then known as the Glaziers) for three years, but with little success; the club had to apply for re-admission to the Football League at the end of the 1953-54
season. He later had stints with non-league Hendon
and Hitchin Town
, reaching the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup
twice with the latter.
He died in July 1999 after a long illness, aged 82 years.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer.
Born in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Scott joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
as a youth player, and played 39 times for the Bantams, mostly as a winger
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
. In February 1937 he was signed by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, though he only played as a reserve for the first two years at the club. At the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Scott joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
as a PT instructor, but still guested as a player for the RAF, Arsenal and 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 wartime matches.
By the time peace broke out, Scott had grown into being one of the country's most assured full backs, known for his pace and composure on the ball. He made his official first-team debut for Arsenal against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in 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 1946, and his League debut on the first day of the 1946-47
1946-47 in English football
The 1946–47 season was the 67th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The 1946–47 season was the first to feature a full football programme since the 1938–39 campaign. Eighty-eight teams competed over four divisions. Liverpool went top of the First Division with a 2–1 away win over...
season; he also made his official England debut against Ireland in September of that year. Arsenal won 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....
title in 1947-48
1947-48 in English football
The 1947–48 season was the 68th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, but after that Scott was blighted by injury; he was stricken with a bout of appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
in 1948, and then injured his knee whilst playing in an international for England against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 10 November 1948.
Scott was out for the rest of the 1948-49
1948-49 in English football
The 1948–49 season was the 69th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth won the First Division title for the first time with a team of no recognised stars and very few international players. They won the league by five points from Manchester United and Derby...
season and his appearances for Arsenal were limited for the next few seasons. However, he still figured in Arsenal's 1950 FA Cup-winning side and after a successful run in the England B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
side, he was picked for England's squad for the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. By now though, he was 33, and had not played for his country for two years; England's first choice right-back for the entire tournament was Alf Ramsey
Alf Ramsey
Sir Alfred Ernest "Alf" Ramsey was an English footballer and manager of the English national football team from 1963 to 1974. His greatest achievement was winning the 1966 World Cup with England on 30 July 1966...
, and Scott did not play a single minute. In 1950-51
1950-51 in English football
The 1950–51 season was the 71st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Tottenham Hotspur won their first League Championship, while Newcastle United defeated Blackpool 2–0 to win their fourth F.A. Cup. They would win it twice more over the next four seasons. The league was expanded...
Scott played 17 matches for Arsenal, but with his injury often recurring, he was no longer automatic first-team choice, sharing the right-back position with Walley Barnes
Walley Barnes
Walley Barnes was a Welsh footballer and broadcaster. He played for Arsenal, being part of their championship-winning side in 1947-48, and he captained the Welsh national side.-Early career:...
. In all he played for Arsenal in 127 official matches (and 191 unofficial wartime matches), and 17 times for England (plus 16 wartime caps).
He joined Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
as player-manager in October 1951. He managed the Eagles (then known as the Glaziers) for three years, but with little success; the club had to apply for re-admission to the Football League at the end of the 1953-54
1953-54 in English football
The 1953–54 season was the 74th season of competitive football in England.-National team:The Marvellous Magyars shocked football by defeating England 6–3 at Wembley Stadium.-Honours:...
season. He later had stints with non-league Hendon
Hendon F.C.
Hendon Football Club are an English football club based in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.In the 2003-04 season they finished fourth in the Isthmian League Premier Division...
and Hitchin Town
Hitchin Town F.C.
Hitchin Town Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. They will compete in the Southern Football League's Premier Division for the 2011–12 season...
, reaching the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup
FA Amateur Cup
The FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when The Football Association abolished official amateur status.-History:...
twice with the latter.
He died in July 1999 after a long illness, aged 82 years.