UTTOXETER LAD, FREDDIE LAWRIE

By Leighton McNamara, photos courtesy of the Lawrie family.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Over the years at Uttoxeter Juniors FC we’ve had numerous players go on to play at great levels. As the weeks go by we will be writing a piece on each player to give you an insight into their journey, how it started, and how Uttoxeter Juniors FC have helped along the way. 

We’re going to start you off with Freddie. Freddie Lawrie, local lad who’s played most of his youth football here at Uttoxeter Juniors FC, is now embarking on his football career with Premier League club Aston Villa. 

Freddie joined Uttoxeter Juniors FC at the age of 4, under lifetime president and long serving coach Clive Beardsley. Clive ran this side for 12 months and then passed them into the capable hands of Jason Ainsworth. 

Freddie learned his trade with Jason and Dan, and spent his first 9 years of football with the club. In those 9 years, the team achieved everything there was to offer. From starting out as 4 year old boys, you build a great bond with each other, and that’s exactly what they did. Tournaments and league wins were a regular and it seemed like Freddie was flourishing. 

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

In 2022, Fred felt he wanted to try and progress his football, really challenge himself with what was out there for a talented young player. With taking everything he’d learnt from his long tenure at Uttoxeter Juniors, Fred was on the move. After making the difficult decision to leave not only Uttoxeter Juniors, but his mates that he’d spent most of his life playing with, he moved to Hanley Town FC. 

It wasn’t as long as 6 months at Hanley Town and Freddie had put himself on the radar. A local professional club in Port Vale were on the hunt and offered him an 8 week trial. 2 weeks into the trial and Freddie was offered a professional 2 year contract. The hard work was paying off. Local Uttoxeter boy starting out at 4 years old with Uttoxeter Juniors was now playing for Port Vale and this was something the town and community really got behind. Freddie’s name began to spread throughout the town and left our local community with a real sense of pride for one of its own. 

4 months into his Port Vale career Freddie was again rewarded for his hard work and undeniable talent with a scholarship at the club, following a successful tournament in Oakham. This tournament would also be the leap frog to further his career, as multiple Premier League clubs were present. After the tournament had finished Freddie was then identified as a category 1 player. CATEGORY 1!

UTTOXETER SUPERSTAR

Within a month of the tournament, Premier League club Aston Villa declared their interest in him and approached Port Vale. By September 2023 Aston Villa bought Freddie Lawrie. He was then offered a 2 year scholarship with Villa 1 year early. Uttoxeter lad, Freddie Lawrie. 

Roll the clocks to present day and Freddie is indulging in life at Aston Villa. Tours of Egypt, tours of Athens and regular appearances for the U16’s, a whole age group above. 

Well done Freddie, we’re following you all the way. All the best for the future and hope to see you back down with the juniors to say hello.

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