Background
He was born in Whickham and started playing locally for Swalwell before becoming an apprentice at Middlesbrough.
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Joe Laidlaw
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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 signed his first professional contract in August 1967 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the club In July 1972 he moved on to 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.
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 played for Waterlooville before then managing Fareham Town and Chichester City United F.C.
