Josh Law

English footballer

Josh Law

Law playing for York City in 2018

Personal information
Full name|  Joshua Neil Law[1]
Date of birth|  (1989-08-19) 19 August 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth|  Nottingham, England
Height|  5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s)|  Defender / Midfielder
Team information

Current team

|  Basford United
Youth career
2005–2007|  Chesterfield
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2007–2008|  Chesterfield|  0|  (0)
2007–2008|  → Alfreton Town (loan)|  30|  (5)
2008–2014|  Alfreton Town|  234|  (18)
2014–2016|  Motherwell|  63|  (0)
2016–2017|  Oldham Athletic|  22|  (2)
2017–2019|  York City|  59|  (1)
2019–|  Basford United|  5|  (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:34, 14 January 2020 (UTC)

Joshua Neil Law (born 19 August 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club Basford United. He has played in the Scottish Premiership for Motherwell and in the English Football League for Oldham Athletic.

## Early and personal life

[edit]

Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire,[1] Law is the son of the former Chesterfield manager Nicky Law and brother of fellow professional footballer, also called Nicky.[2] In June 2015, Law got married in New York, United States, with his brother Nicky as his best man.[3]

## Career

[edit]

### Chesterfield

[edit]

Law started his apprenticeship with Chesterfield in 2005, before signing his first professional contract in July 2007.[4] He made his first-team debut against Hartlepool United in the Football League Trophy in September 2007, seeing a shot cleared off the line and another hitting the bar.[5]

### Alfreton Town

[edit]

Law playing for Alfreton Town in 2013

He joined Conference North club Alfreton Town, managed by his father, on a three-month loan in October 2007.[6] At the end of the loan, the deal was extended until the end of the 2007–08 season.[7]

After being released by Chesterfield upon the expiry of his contract,[8] Law made a permanent move to Alfreton in the 2008 close season.[4][2] After his first full season at the club, Law signed a one-year contract[9] and then the following summer signed another one-year contract.[10] During his time at the club, Law played in both full back and midfielder position.[11]

At the end of 2010–11, Law was given the Players' Player of the Season Award.[12] He was also named in the 2010–11 Conference North Team of the Season.[13] At the end of 2011–12, Law signed another one-year contract with the club.[14] In May 2013, Law signed another one-year contract with the club.[15]

Law spent seven seasons at Alfreton and made over 250 appearances, where he was one of the longest serving players at the club at the time.[11]

### Motherwell

[edit]

On 21 May 2014, Law completed a free transfer to Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, the same club his brother Nicky had played for previously, on a one-year contract.[16] Law said he hoped the move to Motherwell would help him "establish myself in my own right and make a name for myself".[17] Law made his first competitive appearance for Motherwell on 17 July 2014, in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round first leg match against Stjarnan, in which he scored both Motherwell goals in a 2–2 draw at Fir Park.[18] Law also played in the second leg, but Motherwell lost 3–2, being eliminated 5–4 on aggregate.[19] Half-way through the season, Law changed role, moving into defence as a right-back, starting against Dundee on 10 January 2015. Law's performance soon earned him the club's Player of the Month award for February.[20] In 2014–15, Law made 40 appearances, scoring twice.[21]

On 27 May 2015, Law signed a new two-year contract with Motherwell.[22] Law played in both legs as a right-back against his brother, as Motherwell beat Rangers 6–1 on aggregate to stay in the Scottish Premiership.[23][24]

### Oldham Athletic

[edit]

On 9 July 2016, having asked to leave Motherwell for family reasons, Law signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on a one-year contract.[25][26] He scored his first goal for Oldham in a 2–1 EFL Cup win against Wigan Athletic on 9 August 2016.[27] He was released at the end of 2016–17.[28]

### Later career

[edit]

Law signed for newly relegated National League North club York City on 3 July 2017 on a one-year contract.[29] He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season.[30]

Law signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Basford United on 11 May 2019 as a player and youth coach.[31]

## Style of play

[edit]

Law primarily plays at right back but can also play in midfield.[32]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 14 January 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Chesterfield | 2007–08[33] | League Two | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 1 | 0
Alfreton Town (loan)  | 2007–08[34] | Conference North | 30 | 5 | — | — | 6[d] | 0 | 36 | 5
Alfreton Town  | 2008–09[35] | Conference North  | 39 | 3 | 6 | 2 | — | 5[e] | 1 | 50 | 6
2009–10[36] | Conference North  | 39 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 5[f] | 0 | 47 | 2
2010–11[37] | Conference North  | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[g] | 1 | 40 | 6
2011–12[38] | Conference Premier | 38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[g] | 0 | 43 | 1
2012–13[39] | Conference Premier  | 44 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 1[g] | 0 | 48 | 2
2013–14[39] | Conference Premier  | 39 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 1[g] | 0 | 42 | 5
Total  | 264 | 23 | 18 | 2 | — | 24 | 2 | 306 | 27
Motherwell | 2014–15[21] | Scottish Premiership | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[h] | 2 | 40 | 2
2015–16[40] | Scottish Premiership  | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 33 | 0
Total  | 63 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 73 | 2
Oldham Athletic | 2016–17[41] | League One | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3[i] | 0 | 28 | 3
York City | 2017–18[39][42] | National League North | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[g] | 0 | 37 | 1
2018–19[39][43] | National League North  | 25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 2[g] | 0 | 31 | 0
Total  | 59 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 68 | 1
Basford United | 2019–20[44] | Northern Premier League
Premier Division  | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3[j] | 1 | 9 | 1
Career total  | 413 | 26 | 28 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 39 | 5 | 485 | 34

1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup
3. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
4. ^ Two appearances in Conference League Cup, four in FA Trophy
5. ^ One appearance in Conference League Cup, two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference North play-offs
6. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
7. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
8. ^ Two appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs
9. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
10. ^ One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup

## Honours

[edit]

Alfreton Town

* Conference North: 2010–11[37][45]

Individual

* Conference North Team of the Year: 2010–11[13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 255\. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
2. ^ a b "Alfreton 2–2 Blades – match report". Sheffield United F.C. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2009.[dead link]
3. ^ Ralston, Gary (8 May 2015). "Josh Law: Play-off clash with Nicky could make my wedding a nightmare for the both of us". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
4. ^ a b Kellett, Paul. "Chesterfield's apprentices and trainees". Chesterfield F.C. Archived from the original (Excel spreadsheet) on 4 October 2011.
5. ^ "Chesterfield vs Hartlepool". Chesterfield F.C. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011.
6. ^ "Chesterfield net Bastians on loan". BBC Sport. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
7. ^ "Alfreton sign Cape Verde veteran". BBC Sport. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
8. ^ "Spireites release retained list". BBC Sport. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
9. ^ "Alfreton re-sign midfield pair". BBC Sport. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
10. ^ "Alfreton Town snap up Belper Town striker Wilson". BBC Sport. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
11. ^ a b "Player profiles – Law, Josh". Alfreton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014.
12. ^ "Josh Law named Players' Player of the Season". Chesterfield Post. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012.
13. ^ a b "Hearn and Law recognised at league awards' night". Derby Telegraph. 14 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017.
14. ^ "Darren Kempson and three more sign new Alfreton deals". BBC Sport. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
15. ^ "Alfreton Town: Bradley Wood, Josh Law and Alastair Taylor sign". BBC Sport. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
16. ^ "Motherwell sign up midfielder Josh Law from Alfreton Town". BBC Sport. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
17. ^ Thirkill, Stephen (3 June 2014). "Josh Law aiming to make big name for himself at Motherwell FC after Alfreton Town move". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
18. ^ "Motherwell 2–2 Stjarnan". Motherwell F.C. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
19. ^ "Stjarnan 3–2 Motherwell (aet, agg 5–4)". BBC Sport. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
20. ^ Gannon, Michael (20 March 2015). "Motherwell ace Josh Law: If we meet Rangers in play-offs my brother Nicky might lock me in my bedroom". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
21. ^ a b "Games played by Josh Law in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
22. ^ "TV: Law signs two-year extension". Motherwell F.C. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
23. ^ Wilson, Richard (28 May 2015). "Rangers 1–3 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
24. ^ Wilson, Richard (31 May 2015). "Motherwell 3–0 Rangers (agg 6–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
25. ^ "Josh Law departs the club". Motherwell F.C. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
26. ^ "Oldham: Josh Law, Connor Ripley and Lee Erwin sign as Stephen Robinson's first deals". BBC Sport. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
27. ^ "Oldham 2–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
28. ^ "Oldham Athletic: Lee Croft tops list of six players released". BBC Sport. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
29. ^ Howden, Phil (3 July 2017). "City sign Josh Law". York City F.C. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
30. ^ Appleyard, Ian (1 May 2019). "Club announces retained list". York City F.C. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
31. ^ Munroe, Chris (11 May 2019). "Basford add 2 great signings in Josh Law & Callum Chettle to begin 2019–20 preseason". Basford United F.C. Retrieved 28 September 2019 – via Pitchero.
32. ^ Appleyard, Ian (4 July 2017). "No reservations: Josh Law gives his verdict on York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
33. ^ "Games played by Josh Law in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
34. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2008). Non-League Club Directory 2009. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 182–183\. ISBN 978-1-869833-59-6.
35. ^ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 180–181\. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
36. ^ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 176–177\. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
37. ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 28–29\. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
38. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 28–29\. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
39. ^ a b c d "J. Law: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
40. ^ "Games played by Josh Law in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
41. ^ "Games played by Josh Law in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
42. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Flett, Dave (17 September 2017). "York City dig deep to progress in FA Cup amid the Salford rubble". The Press. York. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
For FA Cup third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (1 October 2017). "Poor Shaftesbury Avenue show sees curtain come down on Gary Mills' second spell as York City manager". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (26 November 2017). "York City have last laugh following Coalville taunts in 3–1 Trophy triumph". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
43. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Flett, Dave (23 September 2018). "York City 5 Ashton Athletic 0 report, match stats and player ratings". The Press. York. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
For FA Cup third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (7 October 2018). "York City 3 St Ives Town 0 report, match stats and player ratings". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (25 November 2018). "Kidderminster 1 York City 3 report, match stats and ratings". The Press. York. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
44. ^ "Basford United – Appearances – Josh Law". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
45. ^ "Blue Sq North: 2010/11: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Josh Law.

* Profile at the Basford United F.C. website

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals