Josh Law
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Josh Law
| image = Josh Law 2018-10-27 1.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Law playing for York City in 2018
| fullname = Joshua Neil Law{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 |year=2008 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-324-8 |page=255}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|8|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| position = Defender / Midfielder
| currentclub = Basford United
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2005–2007
| youthclubs1 = Chesterfield
| years1 = 2007–2008
| clubs1 = Chesterfield
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2007–2008
| clubs2 = → Alfreton Town (loan)
| caps2 = 30
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2008–2014
| clubs3 = Alfreton Town
| caps3 = 234
| goals3 = 18
| years4 = 2014–2016
| clubs4 = Motherwell
| caps4 = 63
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2017
| clubs5 = Oldham Athletic
| caps5 = 22
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2017–2019
| clubs6 = York City
| caps6 = 59
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2019–
| clubs7 = Basford United
| caps7 = 5
| goals7 = 0
| club-update = 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 {{English football updater|BasfordU}} 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
Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Law is the son of the former Chesterfield manager Nicky Law and brother of fellow professional footballer, also called Nicky.{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/ReservesReport/0,,10418~1353848,00.html |title=Alfreton 2–2 Blades – match report |publisher=Sheffield United F.C |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=9 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}} In June 2015, Law got married in New York, United States, with his brother Nicky as his best man.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/josh-law-play-off-clash-nicky-5659539 |title=Josh Law: Play-off clash with Nicky could make my wedding a nightmare for the both of us |first=Gary |last=Ralston |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=5 July 2017}}
Career
=Chesterfield=
Law started his apprenticeship with Chesterfield in 2005, before signing his first professional contract in July 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/staticFiles/a9/37/0,,10435~145321,00.xls |title=Chesterfield's apprentices and trainees |format=Excel spreadsheet |first=Paul |last=Kellett |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004124958/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/staticFiles/a9/37/0%2C%2C10435~145321%2C00.xls |archive-date=4 October 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10435~42999,00.html |title=Chesterfield vs Hartlepool |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |date=4 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004125031/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10435~42999%2C00.html |archive-date=4 October 2011}}
=Alfreton Town=
File:Josh Law (cropped).jpg in 2013]]
He joined Conference North club Alfreton Town, managed by his father, on a three-month loan in October 2007.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7022795.stm |title=Chesterfield net Bastians on loan |website=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2007 |access-date=24 May 2014}} At the end of the loan, the deal was extended until the end of the 2007–08 season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7163042.stm |title=Alfreton sign Cape Verde veteran |website=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2007 |access-date=24 May 2014}}
After being released by Chesterfield upon the expiry of his contract,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7364888.stm |title=Spireites release retained list |website=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2008 |access-date=24 May 2014}} Law made a permanent move to Alfreton in the 2008 close season. After his first full season at the club, Law signed a one-year contract{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8141957.stm |title=Alfreton re-sign midfield pair |website=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2009 |access-date=24 May 2014}} and then the following summer signed another one-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8705335.stm |title=Alfreton Town snap up Belper Town striker Wilson |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=24 May 2014}} During his time at the club, Law played in both full back and midfielder position.{{cite news |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/content/law,-josh-116.htm |title=Player profiles – Law, Josh |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524163637/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/content/law%2C-josh-116.htm |archive-date=24 May 2014}}
At the end of 2010–11, Law was given the Players' Player of the Season Award.{{cite news |url=http://www.chesterfieldpost.co.uk/sport/alfreton_fc/09_2010/sports_atfc_00000049.html |title=Josh Law named Players' Player of the Season |newspaper=Chesterfield Post |date=1 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526235951/http://www.chesterfieldpost.co.uk/sport/alfreton_fc/09_2010/sports_atfc_00000049.html |archive-date=26 May 2012}} He was also named in the 2010–11 Conference North Team of the Season.{{cite news |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/hearn-law-recognised-league-awards-night/story-12766561-detail/story.html |title=Hearn and Law recognised at league awards' night |newspaper=Derby Telegraph |date=14 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705133541/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/hearn-law-recognised-league-awards-night/story-12766561-detail/story.html |archive-date=5 July 2017}} At the end of 2011–12, Law signed another one-year contract with the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18180735 |title=Darren Kempson and three more sign new Alfreton deals |website=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2012 |access-date=5 July 2017}} In May 2013, Law signed another one-year contract with the club.{{cite news |title=Alfreton Town: Bradley Wood, Josh Law and Alastair Taylor sign |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22700993 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2013 |access-date=5 July 2017}}
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.
=Motherwell=
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27505703 |title=Motherwell sign up midfielder Josh Law from Alfreton Town |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=5 July 2017}} Law said he hoped the move to Motherwell would help him "establish myself in my own right and make a name for myself".{{cite news |url=http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/josh-law-aiming-to-make-big-name-for-himself-at-motherwell-fc-after-alfreton-town-move-1-6651227 |title=Josh Law aiming to make big name for himself at Motherwell FC after Alfreton Town move |first=Stephen |last=Thirkill |newspaper=Mansfield and Ashfield Chad |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=5 July 2017}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2014/07/17/motherwell-2-2-stjarnan/ |title=Motherwell 2–2 Stjarnan |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=18 July 2014}} Law also played in the second leg, but Motherwell lost 3–2, being eliminated 5–4 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28331373 |title=Stjarnan 3–2 Motherwell (aet, agg 5–4) |website=BBC Sport |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=5 July 2017}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-ace-josh-law-meet-5367670 |title=Motherwell ace Josh Law: If we meet Rangers in play-offs my brother Nicky might lock me in my bedroom |first=Michael |last=Gannon |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=20 March 2015 |access-date=5 July 2017}} In 2014–15, Law made 40 appearances, scoring twice.
On 27 May 2015, Law signed a new two-year contract with Motherwell.{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2015/05/27/law-signs-two-year-extension/ |title=TV: Law signs two-year extension |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527205454/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2015/05/27/law-signs-two-year-extension/ |archive-date=27 May 2015}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32860703 |title=Rangers 1–3 Motherwell |first=Richard |last=Wilson |website=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=5 July 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32863247 |title=Motherwell 3–0 Rangers (agg 6–1) |first=Richard |last=Wilson |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=5 July 2017}}
=Oldham Athletic=
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2016/07/09/josh-law-departs-the-club/ |title=Josh Law departs the club |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36754620 |title=Oldham: Josh Law, Connor Ripley and Lee Erwin sign as Stephen Robinson's first deals |website=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}} He scored his first goal for Oldham in a 2–1 EFL Cup win against Wigan Athletic on 9 August 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949056 |title=Oldham 2–1 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016}} He was released at the end of 2016–17.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39796745 |title=Oldham Athletic: Lee Croft tops list of six players released |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=5 July 2017}}
=Later career=
Law signed for newly relegated National League North club York City on 3 July 2017 on a one-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/club/city-sign-josh-law |title=City sign Josh Law |first=Phil |last=Howden |publisher=York City F.C. |date=3 July 2017 |access-date=23 June 2018}} He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/club-announces-retained-list |title=Club announces retained list |first=Ian |last=Appleyard |publisher=York City F.C. |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=6 May 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207002621/https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/club-announces-retained-list |url-status=dead }}
Law signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Basford United on 11 May 2019 as a player and youth coach.{{cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/basfordunitedfc/news/basford-add-2-great-signings-in-josh-law-callum-ch-2425121.html |title=Basford add 2 great signings in Josh Law & Callum Chettle to begin 2019–20 preseason |first=Chris |last=Munroe |publisher=Basford United F.C. |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=28 September 2019 |via=Pitchero}}
Style of play
Law primarily plays at right back but can also play in midfield.{{cite news |title=No reservations: Josh Law gives his verdict on York City |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15390016.No_reservations__Josh_Law_gives_his_verdict_on_York_City/ |first=Ian |last=Appleyard |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=4 July 2017 |access-date=5 July 2017}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 14 January 2020}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/basfordunitedfc/teams/46588/player/josh-law-2375618 Profile] at the Basford United F.C. website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Law, Josh}}
Category:Footballers from Nottingham
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Basford United F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:English Football League players