Aaron Lawrence
Jamaican footballer (born 1970)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aaron Lawrence (born 11 August 1970)[nb 1] is a Jamaican professional football manager and former player who played as a goalkeeper, making over 60 appearances for the Jamaica national team;[6] he is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Jamaica national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 11 August 1970[nb 1] | ||
| Place of birth | Lucea, Jamaica | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Jamaica (goalkeeping coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1985–1989 | Rusea's High School | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1989–1995 | Violet Kickers | ||
| 1996 | Long Island Rough Riders | 10 | (0) |
| 1996–2006 | Reno | (1[1]) | |
| International career | |||
| 1997–2005 | Jamaica | 72[2] | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2006–2009 | Reno | ||
| 2014 | Jamaica U15 | ||
| 2022–2023 | Turks and Caicos Islands (women) | ||
| 2023–2025 | Turks and Caicos Islands | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Aaron played almost whole of his career in his homeland, playing initially for Violet Kickers between 1989 and 1995, having a brief spell at Long Island Rough Riders in the United States in 1996.[7]
He then returned to Jamaica and he joined Reno in 1996. In 1999, he was on the verge of joining Birmingham City after obtaining a work permit, but the move fell through after he has broken his leg.[8] He scored a goal during the 2002–03 season,[1] and he retired in 2006.[9][10]
International career
Lawrence had been a member of the Jamaica national football team for a little more than a decade. His role was primarily as backup to team captain Warren Barrett, until one memorable performance in 1998 at the World Cup finals in France. Starting in Jamaica's third and final game against Japan, Lawrence shut out the relentless Japanese attackers until late in the game when one sneaked by him. He nevertheless protected Jamaica's slim lead and led them to their first World Cup Finals win, a 2–1 result.
He attempted to secure an overseas contract with a European Club but it proved futile, but the player had emerged as Jamaica's first-choice keeper,[6] and had hoped to lead the Jamaica national team to another World Cup appearance. However, with the emergence of Donovan Ricketts, the under twenty-three goalkeeper at the time, Lawrence never managed to fight his way back to the starter's position.
Known by the nickname "Wild Boy", he was a professional goalkeeper. Although some observers noted limitations in his positioning and handling of crosses into the penalty area, he was known for his shot-stopping ability and was a regular member of the Jamaica national team during international competitions.
He scored a penalty for Jamaica against India in a friendly match in August 2002.[11]
Coaching career
Lawrence coached Reno FC and also served as a goalkeeping coach for the national team,[12] as well as the director of the Real Madrid Academy in Jamaica[13] and manager of second tier Sandals Whitehouse.[14] He is currently coach of the Jamaican national Under-15 team[15] and Rusea's High School football team.[16][17]
He became the Jamaica national team goalkeeping coach in January 2026.
Personal life
Aaron's son, Ruel, was an attacking midfielder playing for Portmore United.[18]
Career statistics
International
Jamaica score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lawrence goal[10]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 November 2002 | Vicarage Road, Watford, England | 58 |  India |
2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
