Marc Laird

Marc Laird
Personal information
Full name Marc James Peter Laird[1]
Date of birth (1986-01-23) 23 January 1986[1]
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Edinburgh City
Youth career
000?–2004 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 Manchester City 0 (0)
2007 → Northampton Town (loan) 6 (0)
2007–2008 → Port Vale (loan) 7 (1)
2008–2011 Millwall 75 (6)
2011 → Brentford (loan) 4 (1)
2011 → Walsall (loan) 8 (0)
2011–2013 Leyton Orient 23 (2)
2012 → Southend United (loan) 12 (1)
2013–2014 Southend United 30 (0)
2014–2015 Tranmere Rovers 34 (1)
2015–2016 Yeovil Town 20 (0)
2016– Edinburgh City 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:27, 29 September 2016 (UTC).


Marc James Peter Laird (born 23 January 1986) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish League Two side Edinburgh City.

Though he began his career with Manchester City in 2004, he was never used in a first team game, though he did play in loan spells at Northampton Town and Port Vale. He signed with Millwall in 2008, playing in the club's 2009–10 promotion campaign. In 2011 he played for Brentford and Walsall on loan, before moving on to Leyton Orient in summer 2011. He joined Southend United on loan in October 2012, and made a permanent move to the club in January 2013. He signed with Tranmere Rovers in July 2014, and moved on to Yeovil Town a year later. He returned to his hometown in September 2016 to sign with Edinburgh City.

Playing career

Manchester City

Born in Edinburgh, Laird started his career with Manchester City, signing professional forms in January 2004. He scored his first goal for the first team on 21 July 2007, in a 4–0 pre-season friendly victory against Carlstad United BK. After coming on as a 70th minute substitute, Laird struck the fourth and final goal in the 78th minute.[3] Laird received his first call into the senior squad for a competitive game when he was named as a substitute for a Premier League match versus Wigan Athletic on 21 October 2006.[4] Awarded the number 39 shirt, he remained on the bench for the shock 4–0 defeat.[5] Laird was called up again for the final game of the 2006–07 against Tottenham Hotspur, but did not get on the pitch.[4] Laird's only involvement with the first team during the 2007–08 season came on 29 August 2007, when he was an unused substitute for a 2–1 League Cup second round victory over Bristol City.[6][7] However he never played a competitive game for the first team, instead he had brief loan spells in League One at Northampton Town in February 2007[8][9] and with Port Vale in November/December 2007.[10] It was at Vale Park where Laird scored his first league goal, when he netted a 25-yard strike against Walsall on Boxing Day.[11]

Millwall

His returned to Vale Park, however this time he was in a Millwall strip having signed with the club permanently in January 2008.[12] On 23 February 2008, Port Vale again provided Laird with yet another milestone, as he scored his second career league goal and first goal for Millwall in the 44th minute of their 3–0 home win over Vale.[13][14] He played 29 games in the Lions' promotion-winning 2009–10 campaign. He was an unused substitute in the play-off final victory over Swindon Town. At the end of the season Laird agreed to sign a new one-year deal with the club.[15] Laird signed on loan at Brentford in January 2011.[16][17] He was recalled after five appearances to play for Millwall in a Championship clash with Norwich City.[18] In March he joined Walsall on loan for the rest of the season.[19]

Leyton Orient

Laird signed a two-year deal with Leyton Orient in July 2011; "O's" boss Russell Slade described Laird as "a good passer and a decent athlete who will add strength to our squad."[20] He made only 11 League One starts, as Orient avoided the drop by one place and seven points. On 26 October 2012, he dropped down a division when he joined League Two side Southend United on a three-month loan. "Shrimpers" manager Paul Sturrock said that "we are lacking in the middle of the park... he's a good passer and he will add some strength and experience there."[21] After making 15 starts for Southend, he returned to Orient and was released from his contract by mutual consent on 4 January 2013.[22]

Southend United

Having secured his release from Orient, Laird signed an 18-month contract with Southend United in January 2013.[23] He ended the 2012–13 season with 27 appearances for Southend, though played no part in the club's run to the 2013 Football League Trophy Final.

Laird missed eight weeks at the start of the 2013–14 season after damaging his medial ligaments.[24] He returned to action and helped the "Shrimpers" to secure a League Two play-off place at the end of the season, where they were beaten by Burton Albion at the semi-final stage. He was released by the club at the end of the season, after which manager Phil Brown commented that "Marc was a bit unlucky with his injury this season".[25]

Tranmere Rovers

Laird signed with a one-year contract with League Two side Tranmere Rovers in July 2014.[26] After Micky Adams was appointed as manager Laird and James Rowe shared the central midfield role with Steve Jennings in defensive midfield and Max Power in attacking midfield.[27] He played 39 games in the 2014–15 season, as Rovers were relegated out of the Football League.

Yeovil Town

On 19 June 2015, Laird signed for League Two side Yeovil Town on a one-year deal upon the expiry of his contract with Tranmere Rovers.[28] He was released at the end of the 2015–16 season.[29]

Edinburgh City

On 21 September 2016, following his release from Yeovil Town, Laird signed for Scottish League Two side Edinburgh City.[30]

Style of play

Laird is a "box to box" midfielder.[31] Kenny Jackett, his manager at Millwall, stated that Laird had a good character and positive mindset.[32]

Career statistics

As of 29 September 2016.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2006–07[33] Premier League —————
2007–08[34] Premier League —————
Northampton Town (loan) 2006–07[33] League One 60———60
Port Vale (loan) 2007–08[34] League One 7130——101
Millwall 2007–08[34] League One 171———171
2008–09[35] League One 37541102[lower-alpha 1]0446
2009–10[36] League One 20050202[lower-alpha 2]0290
2010–11[37] Championship 10—10—20
Total 756914040927
Brentford (loan) 2010–11[37] League One 41——1[lower-alpha 3]051
Walsall (loan) 2010–11[37] League One 80———80
Leyton Orient 2011–12[38] League One 22220201[lower-alpha 3]0272
2012–13[39] League One 10——1[lower-alpha 3]020
Total 232202020292
Southend United 2012–13[39] League Two 23141——272
2013–14[40] League Two 19021——211
Total 421620000483
Tranmere Rovers 2014–15[41] League Two 34130—2[lower-alpha 3]0391
Yeovil Town 2015–16[42] League Two 20000101[lower-alpha 3]0220
Edinburgh City 2016–17[43] Scottish League Two 1000000010
Career total 220132237010026016
  1. ↑ Appearances in League One play-offs
  2. ↑ One appearance in Football League Trophy, one in League One play-offs
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in Football League Trophy

Honours

Millwall

References

  1. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ↑ "Bianchi at the double as Blues stroll to victory". Manchester City F. C. official website. 21 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-01-03.
  4. 1 2 Marc Laird Player Profile - ESPN FC
  5. ↑ BBC SPORT | Football | Premiership | Wigan 4-0 Man City
  6. ↑ Marc Laird Player Profile - ESPN FC
  7. ↑ BBC SPORT | Football | League Cup | Bristol City 1-2 Man City
  8. ↑ "Cobblers bring in Laird on loan". BBC Sport. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Laird ends Northampton loan spell". BBC Sport. 27 February 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "Sinnott makes first Vale signing". BBC Sport. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  11. ↑ "Port Vale 1–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 26 December 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  12. ↑ "Millwall complete Laird signing". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Millwall 3–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  14. ↑ "Sinnott vows to shuffle Vale pack". BBC Sport. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  15. ↑ "Midfielder Marc Laird signs new Millwall contract". BBC Sport. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Bees sign midfielder". Brentford FC. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  17. ↑ "Millwall midfielder Marc Laird joins Brentford on loan". BBC Sport. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "Millwall recall Marc Laird from Brentford loan". BBC Sport. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  19. ↑ "Walsall sign Millwall midfielder Marc Laird on loan". BBC Sport. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  20. ↑ "Leyton Orient sign ex-Millwall midfielder Marc Laird". BBC Sport. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "Marc Laird joins Southend United on loan from Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  22. ↑ "Os agree Laird release". Leyton Orient F.C. 4 January 2013.
  23. ↑ "Midfielder signs 18-month contract at Roots Hall". southendunited.co.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "Southend United's Marc Laird out for two months". BBC Sport. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Freddy Eastwood to leave Southend United". 23 May 2014. football-league.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-05-28. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Marc Laird: Tranmere Rovers sign former Southend midfielder". BBC Sport. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  27. ↑ Hilton, Nick (24 December 2014). "Tranmere Rovers a happy place to be says Marc Laird". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Yeovil sign Tranmere's Marc Laird and Northampton's Ben Tozer". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Way announced retained list". Yeovil Town F.C. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "Edinburgh City sign former Man City midfielder Marc Laird". Johnston Press. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  31. ↑ Kirkbride, Phil (11 July 2014). "New signing Marc Laird says he's a 'perfect fit' for Tranmere Rovers". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  32. ↑ Calvin, Michael (2012). Family: Life, Death and Football, a Year on the Frontline With a Proper Club. Icon Books. p. 88. ISBN 978-190685-026-5.
  33. 1 2 "Games played by Marc Laird in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  34. 1 2 3 "Games played by Marc Laird in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  37. 1 2 3 "Games played by Marc Laird in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  39. 1 2 "Games played by Marc Laird in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Marc Laird in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
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