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Brian Laws
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Brian Laws (born 14 October 1961) is an English former professional footballer and manager.
Key Information
Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of Grimsby Town before taking a similar position with Scunthorpe United in 1997. For the next nine years, Laws served as manager of Scunthorpe United, guiding them to promotion twice. In 2006, he accepted the managerial role at Sheffield Wednesday, lasting three years in the job during which time Burnley approached him for their managers job when Steve Cotterill left, but were put off by the compensation demanded by Wednesday. Wednesday later struggled with financial problems and he was dismissed in December 2009 after a poor run of results.
After only a brief spell out of the game, Burnley appointed Laws as their manager, giving him his first chance to manage in the Premier League after Owen Coyle left the club for Bolton Wanderers in January 2010 and took the entire management team with him. He was dismissed by the club in December that year. Laws returned to manage Scunthorpe United in 2012 only to be dismissed in November 2013.
Playing career
[edit]Born in Wallsend, Northumberland,[1] Laws began playing football at the famous Wallsend Boys Club.[3] Aged 17 he signed his first professional contract with Burnley, joining the club as an apprentice. Over the following four seasons he made 181 appearances for the club and, despite his defensive role, scored fifteen goals. However, during this period the club's fortunes were in decline and, following relegation back to the old Third Division, Burnley sold Laws across the Pennines to Huddersfield Town for only £10,000 in 1983.[4] Two years later Laws was sold again, moving to Middlesbrough for £30,000. After a short period Laws became first choice in Middlesbrough's starting eleven, in his three seasons at the club he twice helped the team to promotion, firstly to the Second Division and then, just a year later, up to the old First Division.
On 14 July 1986, he famously applied to the Football League to have his contract cancelled and enable himself to leave Middlesbrough on a free transfer, as they were in liquidation and on the verge of losing their Football League status and going out of business at this stage. However, they were saved from closure the following month and Laws remained part of the team who won promotion in the next two seasons to take them from the Third Division to the First.[5] However, the club's finances were not strong, and when Nottingham Forest offered £120,000 for his contract in 1988 Middlesbrough sold him to the Trentside club.[6]
Laws was part of Brian Clough's successful Nottingham Forest team for six seasons, playing mainly as right full-back. He is sometimes credited as Forest's second-best right-back of all time[7] behind regular England international Viv Anderson. During this time he won the League Cup twice and was runner up in the League Cup and FA Cup. Clough's first words to his new signing were "I've never seen you play, son, I'm going on the recommendation of Ron Fenton. So if you're crap, Ronnie signed you. If you're good, I signed you."[8]
Laws was at Forest at the time of the Hillsborough disaster in the 1988–89 FA Cup semi final. The originally scheduled fixture had to be abandoned early in the game due to fans being fatally crushed in the Leppings Lane terracing. In the rescheduled fixture, Laws scored an own goal; the game ended 3–1 to Liverpool. He played in the 1991 FA Cup final; a 2–1 defeat to Spurs.
Forest were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 1992–93 season and Clough retired, a year and a half later and with reduced first team opportunities, Laws left on a free transfer to become player-manager at Grimsby Town.
Managerial career
[edit]Laws started his management career at Grimsby Town in 1994, replacing Alan Buckley who had moved to West Bromwich Albion.[9] Laws' management of Town was initially successful, but deteriorated after he clashed with Grimsby Town player Ivano Bonetti. Laws reportedly threw a plate of chicken wings at the Italian following a 3–2 defeat at Luton Town in February 1996.[10] Laws was dismissed by Grimsby Town after a poor start to the 96–97 season. He then had a short spell as a player with Darlington before taking charge of Scunthorpe United.
At Scunthorpe United Laws achieved promotion twice, in 1999 and 2005 respectively. He was dismissed by the club in March 2004 but was reinstated three weeks later, leading them to promotion the following season.
After nearly 10 years at Scunthorpe United Laws left the club in November 2006 to take over the manager's job at Sheffield Wednesday. Ex-Wednesday chairman Dave Allen, in an interview made before hiring Laws, admitted that he liked him because of his Brian Clough management style. He said "I like him, he comes from the Clough camp, I'm a great admirer of the Clough camp".[11]
On 7 February 2009, Laws became the first Sheffield Wednesday manager for 95 years to do the league double over their neighbours Sheffield United, therefore making sure his name goes down in Wednesday history. Laws however came under increasing pressure from Wednesday fans to depart at the start of December, after a poor run of results which saw the Owls drop to 20th along with four straight home defeats.[12] Laws left Sheffield Wednesday on 13 December 2009 by mutual consent after a run of bad results.[13] Sheffield Wednesday were relegated in 2010 after failing to win in their last game against Crystal Palace.[14]
In January 2010, Laws was linked with a surprise return to his first club Burnley as manager, this following the departure of Owen Coyle to Bolton Wanderers.[15] On 13 January, Laws was appointed as the new manager of Burnley.[16] They lost 15 of their remaining 18 Premier League games, plummeting from mid table in January to the relegation zone; their relegation being confirmed with two matches remaining. Despite this setback, the Burnley board of directors agreed that Laws would be in charge of the team for the quest to regain top flight status in 2010–11.[17]
In summer 2010 he let a number of older players go and sold Steven Fletcher to Wolverhampton Wanderers. In pre-season he has had a successful start winning all games, bar one draw. Laws made a number of signings during the summer transfer window, including Chris Iwelumo from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ross Wallace from local rivals Preston North End. Laws managed his 700th league game in a 4–0 win over Hull City. However, after a poor run of results that left Burnley 9th in the Championship, after the 2–0 loss to Scunthorpe United which saw Burnley fans calling for his dismissal, on 29 December 2010 it was announced that Laws had been dismissed from the club.[18]
On 17 September 2012, Laws was appointed Director of Football at Shamrock Rovers until the end of the 2012 League of Ireland season.[19][20][21]
On 29 October 2012, Laws returned as manager of League One Scunthorpe United, following the dismissal of Alan Knill.[22] In November 2013 he was dismissed by Scunthorpe following the side's FA Cup defeat by local rivals Grimsby Town.[23]
He currently provides analysis and co-commentary on Nottingham Forest matches for BBC Radio Nottingham and Sheffield Wednesday matches on BBC Radio Sheffield.
Personal life
[edit]Laws has two children from his late first wife and a son called Thomas with his second wife, Jane.[24]
in November 2016, Laws revealed to Sheffield Live TV that he underwent double heart bypass surgery.[25]
Managerial statistics
[edit]- As of 20 November 2013
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Grimsby Town | 29 November 1994 | 1 November 1996 | 99 | 30 | 28 | 41 | 30.3 |
| Scunthorpe United | 24 February 1997 | 6 November 2006 | 520 | 202 | 138 | 180 | 38.8 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 6 November 2006 | 13 December 2009 | 154 | 52 | 42 | 60 | 33.8 |
| Burnley | 13 January 2010 | 29 December 2010 | 44 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 29.5 |
| Shamrock Rovers | 17 September 2012 | 26 October 2012 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 66.7 |
| Scunthorpe United | 29 October 2012 | 20 November 2013 | 52 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 32.7 |
| Total | 875 | 318 | 231 | 326 | 36.3 | ||
Honours
[edit]As a player
[edit]Burnley
Nottingham Forest
- Football League Cup: 1988–89,[citation needed] 1989–90[citation needed]
- Full Members Cup: 1988–89,[citation needed] 1991–92[citation needed]
Individual
As a manager
[edit]Scunthorpe United
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Brian Laws". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1996). The 1996–97 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Queen Anne Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-85291-571-1.
- ^ "Brian Laws: In profile". BBC South Yorkshire. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ Brian Laws at Soccerbase
- ^ "Boro Crisis at Ayresome". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ^ "Brian Laws profile: page 2". BBC South Yorkshire. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ "Brian Laws summary". BridportRed.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ Turnbull, Simon (28 January 2001). "Football: Folk lore man Laws picks up pieces and repays faith". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ "Brian Laws". League Managers Association. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- ^ "Celina Hinchcliffe on Brian Laws". BBC Sport. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
- ^ "Wednesday confirm Laws interest". BBC Sport. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
- ^ "Championship – Wednesday complete United double". EuroSport – Yahoo!. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Sheff Wed part company with Laws". BBC News. 13 December 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ Fletcher, Paul (2 May 2010). "Sheff Wed 2–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ "Burnley appoint Brian Laws as new manager". BBC News. London. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Burnley appoint Brian Laws as new manager". BBC Sport. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- ^ "Laws to remain as Burnley manager". BBC News. 12 May 2010.
- ^ "Boss Brian Laws shown door by Burnley". BBC Sport. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ "Brian Laws". Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Shamrock Rovers appoint Laws". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Brian Laws wants to bring calmness to Shamrock Rovers as director of football". RTÉ News. RTÉ. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Scunthorpe United: Brian Laws replaces Alan Knill as manager". BBC Sport. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ^ "Brian Laws: Scunthorpe United sack boss after FA Cup exit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ Chadband, Ian (30 April 2010). "Burnley manager Brian Laws makes powerful pitch to revive fortunes of his beloved club. ". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Laws: I owe my life to GP after heart bypass". The London Owls - Sheffield Wednesday supporters club for Wednesdayites living in London and the south east. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 146.
- ^ Ian Ridley (30 May 1999). "Scunthorpe scuttle ordinary Orient (p74)". The Observer via Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Laws is manager of the month". BBC Humberside. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ "Boss Laws handed League One award". BBC Sport. 5 October 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
External links
[edit]- Brian Laws at Soccerbase
- Brian Laws management career statistics at Soccerbase
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Brian Laws
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and upbringing
Brian Laws was born on 14 October 1961 in Wallsend, a district in the Tyneside area of Tyne and Wear, England.[1][4] He grew up in the Wallsend area during the 1960s and 1970s, a period when the community was characterized by its strong working-class identity and heavy reliance on the shipbuilding industry along the River Tyne, which shaped the daily lives and economic realities of local families.[8][9] The industrial environment of Tyneside, combined with its vibrant football culture centered around clubs like Newcastle United, fostered a sense of resilience and community spirit that influenced Laws' early development and sparked his interest in sports.[10][11] Little is documented about his formal education, though the tight-knit, Geordie-rooted neighborhoods of Wallsend emphasized practical values and collective support, contributing to his formative character traits.[8] This background led to his initial foray into organized football at the prominent Wallsend Boys Club.[12]Introduction to football
Brian Laws began his organised football involvement in the late 1970s at Wallsend Boys Club, a prestigious youth academy in North East England known for nurturing numerous professional talents.[1] Located in his hometown district of Wallsend, the club provided a structured environment for young players to develop amid the region's strong football culture.[13] At Wallsend, Laws progressed through local youth leagues, where he primarily honed his defensive abilities as a robust full-back, building a reputation for tenacity and positional awareness. His Geordie upbringing in Newcastle contributed to this resilient playing style, shaped by the gritty, competitive ethos of North East amateur football.[13] Laws' standout performances in these youth setups attracted professional scouts, culminating in his signing as an apprentice with Burnley in 1979 at age 17, which represented his breakthrough into league-level football.[1] This move transitioned him from amateur play to the professional ranks, setting the foundation for a career spanning multiple clubs.[14]Playing career
Burnley
Brian Laws, having been scouted from Wallsend Boys Club, joined Burnley as an apprentice in 1979 and made his senior debut during the 1979–80 season in the Second Division.[1][15] Despite the team's struggles that year, which culminated in relegation after finishing 21st, Laws quickly established himself as a regular defender, appearing in just one league match but gaining early exposure to competitive senior football.[16][17] Over the next seasons in the Third Division, Laws developed into a key component of Burnley's backline, forming effective defensive partnerships that helped solidify the team's structure amid the physical demands of lower-tier play.[4] In total, during his initial stint from 1979 to 1983, he made approximately 181 appearances across all competitions, scoring 15 goals—a notable tally for a defender—including contributions from set pieces and occasional forward surges.[15][18] His consistent presence was instrumental in Burnley's mid-table finish of eighth place in 1980–81, ensuring survival in the division, and provided him with valuable experience in the robust, end-to-end style of Third Division matches.[16] Laws' growth at Burnley honed his tactical awareness and resilience, preparing him for higher levels before his transfer in 1983.[1] The club finished as Third Division champions in 1981–82 under his contributions, but his role emphasized defensive reliability during periods of transition and pressure, underscoring his adaptation to the rigors of professional football in the lower tiers.[16]Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest
Brian Laws transferred to Huddersfield Town in August 1983 for £10,000, where he played as a right-back in the Second Division, making 66 appearances across all competitions and scoring 1 goal over nearly two seasons before departing in March 1985.[15][3] Later that month, he joined Middlesbrough for a fee of £30,000, marking his move to a club facing financial and competitive challenges following their relegation from the Second Division later that season.[3] Over the next three seasons, he made 107 league appearances and scored 12 goals while primarily playing as a right-back or midfielder, contributing to the team's stabilization and promotion back to the Second Division in 1986 under manager Bruce Rioch.[17] His physical, no-nonsense defending style, honed during his early career at Burnley, proved valuable in a squad often limited by injuries and a small roster, helping Middlesbrough adapt to the Third Division before their return to higher competition.[19] Laws joined Nottingham Forest in the summer of 1988 for £125,000, entering a successful era under manager Brian Clough where he adapted seamlessly to top-flight football as a reliable central defender.[4] Between 1988 and 1994, he featured in approximately 148 league appearances (including substitute appearances), scoring 4 goals, and was a key part of the backline during Forest's strong performances, including their participation in the 1989–90 UEFA Cup campaign.[15] His contributions extended to domestic cups, where he played in the victories that secured the Football League Cup in both 1989 (2–3 aggregate win over Luton Town) and 1990 (3–1 aggregate win over Manchester United), adding major silverware to his career during Forest's competitive peak.[20]Later clubs
In the later stages of his playing career, Brian Laws joined Grimsby Town on a free transfer in December 1994, where he continued to feature as a defender in the Second Division.[21] During his two seasons with the club, he made 46 appearances across all competitions and scored 2 goals, with his playing duties overlapping with his initial coaching responsibilities at the club.[15] Following his departure from Grimsby in November 1996, Laws had a brief stint as a player with Darlington on a non-contract basis later that month, appearing 10 times in league and cup matches without scoring.[15] He concluded his professional playing career at Scunthorpe United from 1997 to 2000, registering approximately 20 appearances before fully transitioning to management roles.[15] Over the course of his career, Laws amassed more than 500 league appearances, leveraging the defensive expertise he had developed during his time at Nottingham Forest to mentor younger players as he shifted toward assistant management roles by the mid-1990s.[15]Managerial career
Grimsby Town and early management
Laws was appointed player-manager of Grimsby Town on 29 November 1994 at the age of 33, taking over from Alan Buckley midway through the 1994–95 season in the First Division. He combined the roles of manager and defender, making 46 appearances and scoring two goals during his time at the club.[4] In his debut partial campaign of 1994–95, Laws steered Grimsby to a 10th-place finish, establishing mid-table security in the second tier with 17 wins from 46 league games overall that season.[22] The 1995–96 season saw the Mariners end 17th, comfortably clear of relegation with 14 league victories from 46 matches, maintaining stability amid a competitive division. Across his full tenure from November 1994 to November 1996, Laws oversaw 89 matches in all competitions, recording 27 wins for an approximate 30% win rate that reflected consistent but unremarkable performance.[20] His approach drew on his extensive playing background as a full-back, prioritizing team cohesion and resilience. Laws' departure came on 1 November 1996 following a winless start to the 1996–97 season and tensions with the board over club direction.[23] This episode at Grimsby marked his initial steps in adapting from active player to dedicated managerial role, setting the stage for subsequent positions.[2]Scunthorpe United
Brian Laws was appointed as player-assistant manager of Scunthorpe United on 24 February 1997, taking full managerial control following the dismissal of Mick Buxton.[24] In his first full season, he guided the team to the playoffs in Division Three, narrowly missing promotion.[25] Under Laws' leadership, Scunthorpe United achieved promotion from Division Three to the Second Division at the end of the 1998–99 season via the playoffs, defeating Leyton Orient 3–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals and Swansea City 3–0 in the final at Wembley.[26] This success marked the club's first promotion in 16 years and established Laws' reputation for building competitive squads on a limited budget.[27] Laws' tenure faced challenges in March 2004 when he was dismissed amid a poor run of form, with the team sitting 22nd in Division Three; however, he was reinstated just weeks later on 15 April 2004 after a boardroom takeover by major shareholder Steve Wharton.[28] Drawing on his earlier experience at Grimsby Town, where he emphasized disciplined defensive organization, Laws refocused the squad.[29] In the 2004–05 season, Laws led Scunthorpe to automatic promotion as runners-up in League Two, finishing second with 86 points from 46 matches, securing their return to League One.[27] His approach integrated promising young talents alongside experienced players, contributing to an unbeaten run through April that clinched the promotion.[29] Over his nine-year spell from 1997 to 2006, encompassing 520 matches across two stints, Laws recorded 202 wins, 138 draws, and 180 losses, achieving an overall win rate of approximately 38.8%.[26] He played a key role in developing the club's youth system and squad depth, fostering long-term stability that elevated Scunthorpe from the lower tiers.[27] Laws departed Scunthorpe in November 2006 to join Sheffield Wednesday, leaving behind a transformed club that had risen two divisions during his time in charge.[30]Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, and Shamrock Rovers
Brian Laws was appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday on 6 November 2006, succeeding Ronnie Moore at the Championship club after leaving Scunthorpe United mid-season. He inherited a side in the relegation battle and stabilized them with a 20th-place finish in the 2006–07 season, drawing on defensive principles honed during his successful spells at Scunthorpe.[30] Over his three-year tenure, Laws managed 154 league matches, achieving 52 wins, 42 draws, and 60 losses, equating to a win rate of approximately 34%. The team recorded mid-table positions of 16th in 2007–08 and 18th in 2008–09, but financial constraints and inconsistent form mounted pressure from supporters.[31] A dismal run of results in late 2009, including a 3–1 defeat to relegation-threatened Leicester City, left Wednesday in the drop zone, prompting his dismissal by mutual consent on 13 December 2009.[32] Following a brief spell out of management, Laws returned to his boyhood club Burnley on 13 January 2010, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract after Owen Coyle's departure to Bolton Wanderers.[2] He took charge with Burnley 10th in the Premier League but won just two of his 17 league games in charge that season, contributing to relegation on the final day.[33] Despite speculation over his position, the board retained him for the 2010–11 Championship campaign, where he oversaw a squad rebuild with key signings including Dean Marney and Clarke Carlisle to bolster defense and midfield.[34] In 44 league matches, Laws averaged 1.09 points per game as Burnley climbed to 8th place by season's end, securing comfortable mid-table survival seven points clear of the drop zone.[30] However, a winless run in December 2010, leaving the team 9th but vulnerable to slipping further, led to his sacking on 29 December after 11 months in the role.[35] Laws ventured abroad in September 2012, joining Shamrock Rovers as Director of Football on 17 September until the end of the League of Ireland Premier Division season, effectively assuming managerial duties amid the club's push for European qualification.[36] In his brief seven-game stint, he recorded four wins and three defeats, highlighted by a 7–0 league thrashing of Dundalk that showcased an aggressive, high-pressing style influenced by English tactics.[37] Despite steadying the ship temporarily, Rovers finished 4th and missed out on a European spot. Laws departed on 29 October 2012 to take up the managerial position at Scunthorpe United, ending his short Irish adventure after just six weeks.[38]Return to Scunthorpe United
In October 2012, Brian Laws was reappointed as manager of Scunthorpe United for a third time, replacing Alan Knill following a poor start to the League One season that left the club in the relegation zone.[39] This return came after Laws' previous successful tenures at the club, where he had guided them to promotions from the fourth tier in 1999 and 2005.[39] Laws took charge for the remainder of the 2012–13 season, but Scunthorpe were unable to avoid relegation to League Two, finishing 22nd in League One with just 48 points from 46 matches.[40] In November 2012, following a 4–0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers, Laws controversially described his team's defending as "as bad as the Holocaust", later issuing a public apology for the insensitive remark.[7] Over his full stint until November 2013, he managed 52 competitive matches, recording 17 wins, 12 draws, and 23 losses for a win percentage of approximately 33%, a points-per-match average of 1.21.[41] His efforts were significantly hampered by persistent player injuries, which limited squad depth, and the club's constrained budget that restricted recruitment options in the lower tiers.[42] Laws was dismissed on 20 November 2013, shortly after a 2–1 FA Cup defeat to non-league Grimsby Town, with Scunthorpe sitting 20th in League Two at that point.[40] In a statement released via the League Managers' Association, he expressed disappointment at leaving, thanking the staff and players while wishing the club well, marking the end of his active managerial career.[43] Subsequent interviews reflected on the highs of his earlier promotions with Scunthorpe and the challenges of later roles, underscoring the emotional toll of management.[44]Post-management career
Broadcasting roles
Following the end of his managerial career in 2013, Brian Laws transitioned into broadcasting, taking on the role of summariser and pundit for BBC Radio Nottingham, where he covers Nottingham Forest matches and offers insights informed by his six seasons as a defender for the club in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has contributed to over 119 broadcasts in this capacity. Laws has since expanded his media work to BBC Radio Sheffield, providing commentary and analysis for Sheffield Wednesday games, drawing on his prior experience managing the club from 2006 to 2009. As of 2025, he continues these roles.[45] In the 2024–25 season, Laws delivered regular expert commentary on Nottingham Forest's performance amid their bid for Premier League survival and a potential European push, including discussions on squad dynamics and tactical approaches under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. For example, in a February 2025 appearance on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, he described the season as "remarkable" and emphasized the team's improved resilience compared to previous campaigns. That same month, he analyzed the squad's depth and the challenges of sustaining a Champions League challenge, noting the balance required between defensive solidity and attacking flair. In April 2025, Laws assessed the final six Premier League fixtures as a "massive test," praising the side's progress while cautioning about the intensity of the run-in.Other professional activities
Following his departure from full-time management at Scunthorpe United in 2013, Brian Laws has pursued advisory and mentoring roles in football, emphasizing support for emerging and lower-league managers without returning to head coaching positions.[30] In 2020, Laws briefly served as assistant manager at Spennymoor Town, a National League North club based in the North East of England, providing tactical guidance during a transitional period for the team.[46] Since February 2023, he has worked as a technical advisor for the League Managers Association (LMA), focusing on mentoring programs that assist professional managers with career development, performance analysis, and liaison efforts with bodies like the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). As of 2025, he remains in this role.[47][48]Personal life
Family
Brian Laws' first marriage produced two children, Jamie and Danielle, who were young at the time of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, when the family attended the match together.[49][50] These children were raised during Laws' early managerial career in the 1990s, a period marked by relocations following his appointment at Grimsby Town in 1994. Laws later remarried Jane, with whom he has a son, Thomas.[51] The family resides in the North East of England, providing a stable base that accommodated his subsequent travel demands in broadcasting roles.[50] Throughout his managerial tenure, Laws has described his family as a key source of support amid the profession's intense pressures, with his wife observing the relentless nature of his work commitments.[44]Health
In 2016, at the age of 54, Brian Laws underwent double heart bypass surgery following the discovery of a 95% blockage in his heart artery.[52] The procedure, performed in the summer of that year, was prompted by severe chest pains initially mistaken for heartburn, which led to urgent medical evaluation after his general practitioner insisted on further tests despite normal initial results.[52] The surgery was successful, and Laws received medical clearance shortly afterward, crediting his rapid recovery to the early intervention by his doctor, whom he described as having "saved his life."[52] He made lifestyle changes to manage his health moving forward, including advice to reduce stress from professional commitments.[53] Laws publicly revealed details of his health scare in November 2016 during an appearance on Sheffield Live TV, using the experience to warn others about the risks of heart issues even for those with active lifestyles.[54] No further significant health incidents have been reported through 2025, as evidenced by his continued involvement in football commentary and interviews, underscoring his resilience.[55]Career statistics
Playing statistics
Brian Laws amassed over 500 appearances in the Football League across his professional career, scoring 31 goals primarily as a defender. These figures encompass league matches only, with additional cup competitions bringing his total competitive appearances to 620 and goals to 38. Statistics are drawn from comprehensive records, though slight variations occur between sources due to differences in counting substitute appearances and pre-1990s lower-division data.[15] The following table summarizes Laws' appearances and goals by club, including league, FA Cup, League Cup, and other competitions where applicable:| Club | League Apps (Subs) | League Goals | FA Cup Apps (Subs) | FA Cup Goals | League Cup Apps (Subs) | League Cup Goals | Other Apps (Subs) | Other Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley | 152 (0) | 12 | 15 (0) | 1 | 14 (0) | 2 | 0 (0) | 0 | 181 | 15 |
| Huddersfield Town | 56 (0) | 1 | 3 (0) | 0 | 7 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 66 | 1 |
| Middlesbrough | 103 (5) | 12 | 8 (1) | 0 | 6 (1) | 2 | 6 (1) | 0 | 123 | 14 |
| Nottingham Forest | 137 (11) | 4 | 16 (4) | 1 | 28 (4) | 0 | 11 (1) | 0 | 192 | 5 |
| Grimsby Town | 30 (16) | 2 | 4 (0) | 1 | 2 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 36 | 3 |
| Darlington | 9 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | 11 (6) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Career Total | 498 (38) | 31 | 47 (6) | 3 | 58 (6) | 4 | 17 (2) | 0 | 620 | 38 |
Managerial statistics
Brian Laws' managerial career spanned from 1994 to 2013, encompassing 876 matches across all competitions with Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United (three spells), Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, and a brief interim role at Shamrock Rovers.[26] His overall record shows 318 wins, 231 draws, and 327 losses, yielding a win percentage of 36.3%. These statistics are compiled from league, cup, and playoff fixtures, primarily drawn from English Football League records, though minor gaps exist for non-league or international cup matches.[26] Key achievements include guiding Scunthorpe United to promotion from the Football League Third Division to the Second Division in the 1998–99 season and from League Two to League One in the 2004–05 season, both via playoffs.[26] No further managerial roles followed his dismissal from Scunthorpe in November 2013. The following table summarizes his record by club:| Club | Tenure | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimsby Town | 1994–1996 | 99 | 30 | 28 | 41 | 30.3% |
| Scunthorpe United | 1997–2006 | 520 | 202 | 138 | 180 | 38.8% |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2006–2009 | 154 | 52 | 42 | 60 | 33.8% |
| Burnley | 2010 | 44 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 29.5% |
| Shamrock Rovers | 2012 (interim) | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.1% |
| Scunthorpe United | 2012–2013 | 52 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 32.7% |
| Total | 1994–2013 | 876 | 318 | 231 | 327 | 36.3% |