Liam Lawrence

Liam Lawrence (December 14, 1981 in Retford, England) is a football (soccer) right winger (sport), who currently plays for Stoke City F.C..

Playing career

Sunderland A.F.C. signed Lawrence from Mansfield Town F.C. in 2004 and he quickly won the fans over with his determined and committed style of play. Despite missing a penalty for Mansfield in the Football League Third Division Play-off final, it was clear that Lawrence was a great prospect and was spotted by Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy and his scouting staff. Lawrence had a promising first season at Sunderland, scoring 6 goals in 20 starts and 12 substitute appearances, including two superb strikes against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. at the Stadium of Light. He also helped create one of the most important goals in Sunderland's season, scored by Marcus Stewart, against Wigan Athletic F.C. at the JJB Stadium.

Following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League in 2005, Lawrence found himself in and out of the first team squad for the first few months of the 05/06 season. Despite this, Lawrence still made 23 starts and 10 substitute appearances for the club, scoring stunning goals against Fulham F.C., Chelsea F.C., and Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle United F.C. at St James' Park. Although the season ended in disaster for Sunderland, who were relegated with a then record low of 15 points; Lawrence ended the season as runner up to team-mate Dean Whitehead for the annual Player of the Year award, and was seen as one of Sunderland's better performers.

On February 16, 2006, Lawrence received his first international call-up, for the Republic of Ireland national football team. in their friendly game against Swedish national football team on March 3. He was one of four young Premiership players to receive their first international call-ups in Steve Staunton's first squad as Republic of Ireland manager, however, was only named as an unused substitute. Despite being a regular in Staunton's squads, he has yet to be capped by his country. On August 1 2006, Lawrence signed a new contract until 2010.

In the January 2007 transfer window, Sunderland sold Lawrence to Stoke City F.C. for an initial fee of £500,000.
Lawrence has become a popular player at Stoke after he gelled quickly with other on loan players and has also weighed in with some important goals. Lawrence scored a hat-trick including two penalties against Barnsley F.C. in a 3-3 draw. He also won Stoke City F.C. Player Of The Year for the 2007-08 season.

Sex Tape Scandal

On December 7 2006, tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that Lawrence, along with team-mates Ben Alnwick and Chris Brown (English footballer) had filmed themselves in an orgy with a brunette girl referred to as 'Stevie' (Stevie Leigh Mason - Miss Sunderland). In the video, Brown films his team-mates perform sex on the girl as well as themselves, and is said to give "Match of the Day" style commentary throughout. Former Sunderland midfielder Martin Woods also features on the tape partially clothed, along with two other men. In reference to the watching men, Brown reportedly comments “Here’s the boys — the watching faithful — every week without fail.”

On December 8, The Sun reported that the girl in the video was just 16 years old, with the girl claiming she had no idea she was being filmed.

On January 15 Football Weekly reporter Barry Glendenning said that none of the players seen in the mobile phone video were Sunderland players any longer as Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, had zero tolerance for pornography. All have been transferred to other clubs in the January window. Glendenning had reported on the film in the previous week's podcast.