Joseph Daniel Laidlaw (12 July 1950 – 18 November 2021) was an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Career Laidlaw was born in Wallsend growing up as a Newcastle United fan. He started playing locally for SwalwellPre-League Career before becoming an apprentice at Middlesbrough."Rothmans Football Year Book,1970–71" Peskett, R & Williams, T: Harpenden, QAP,1970 He signed his first professional contract in August 1967 and made over 100 appearances for the club. In July 1972, he began a four-year stint with Carlisle UnitedTransfer Details before a three-year spell with Billy Bremner's Doncaster Rovers. In June 1979, he moved to Portsmouth for a fee of £15,000."Portsmouth, from Tindall to Ball" Farmery, C: Southend-on-Sea, Desert Island Books, 1999 Appointed club captain, he quickly became a firm favourite with Portsmouth's fans, the Fratton Faithful. In a memorable roller-coaster first season, he led Pompey to promotion, achieved on the last day of the season after the club beat Northampton 2–0 and Bradford City lost 1–0 to Peterborough United. The following December, Laidlaw was sold to Hereford United for £15,000, his last match having been a 1–0 defeat at Barnsley the preceding month."Rothmans football yearbook 1981–82" Rollin, J (Ed) London, QAP, 1981 He played 62 league games for The Bulls, scoring eight goals"The PFA Premier League and Football League Players' Records 1946–98" Hugman, B: Harpenden, Queen Anne Press, 1998 before ending his career with a brief spell at Mansfield Town. After his professional career ended, he returned to the south coast to live and played for Waterlooville before managing Selsey (initially as player-manager), Fareham TownFareham details and Chichester City United.
Style of play A combative player,Joe.htm Character profile Laidlaw was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a wing-half and ending it as a midfielderAs football moved from 2–3–5 to 4-3-3/4–2–4 despite playing a similar role throughout."Every team needs a Joe Laidlaw- a tough battler to win the ball all over the park and keep everyone up to their job"- Portsmouth manager Frank Burrows quoted in The News, 10 March 1980, article by Mike Neasom "Laidlaw fit for Stockport clash"
Personal life When asked about his biggest dislike, he responded shaving, and he'd most like to meet Paul Newman. Laidlaw's grandson Harvey played in Portsmouth's academy set-up. He was named their player of the season,It's time for the awards 2022-23, before joining Gosport Borough on loan in July 2023 and subsequently Isthmian League club Horndean.
Death Laidlaw died on 18 November 2021 at the age of 71.Portsmouth mourning death of promotion-winning captain
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