Joshua Neil Law (born 19 August 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for 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. In June 2015, Law got married in New York, United States, with his brother Nicky as his best man.
Career Chesterfield Law started his apprenticeship with Chesterfield in 2005, before signing his first professional contract in July 2007. 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.
Alfreton Town
He joined Conference North club Alfreton Town, managed by his father, on a three-month loan in October 2007. At the end of the loan, the deal was extended until the end of the 2007–08 season.
After being released by Chesterfield upon the expiry of his contract, 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 and then the following summer signed another one-year contract. During his time at the club, Law played in both full back and midfielder position.
At the end of 2010–11, Law was given the Players' Player of the Season Award. He was also named in the 2010–11 Conference North Team of the Season. At the end of 2011–12, Law signed another one-year contract with the club. In May 2013, Law signed another one-year contract with the club.
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. Law said he hoped the move to Motherwell would help him "establish myself in my own right and make a name for myself". 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. Law also played in the second leg, but Motherwell lost 3–2, being eliminated 5–4 on aggregate. 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. In 2014–15, Law made 40 appearances, scoring twice.
On 27 May 2015, Law signed a new two-year contract with Motherwell. 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.
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. He scored his first goal for Oldham in a 2–1 EFL Cup win against Wigan Athletic on 9 August 2016. He was released at the end of 2016–17.
Later career
Law signed for newly relegated National League North club York City on 3 July 2017 on a one-year contract. He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season.
Law signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Basford United on 11 May 2019 as a player and youth coach.
Style of play Law primarily plays at right back but can also play in midfield.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChesterfield2007–08League Two00—001010Alfreton Town (loan)2007–08Conference North305——60365Alfreton Town2008–09Conference North39362—515062009–10Conference North39230—504722010–11Conference North35520—314062011–12Conference Premier38120—304312012–13Conference Premier44230—104822013–14Conference Premier39520—10425Total26423182—24230627Motherwell2014–15Scottish Premiership3401010424022015–16Scottish Premiership2902020—330Total630303042732Oldham Athletic2016–17League One222102130283York City2017–18For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round: For FA Trophy third qualifying round: National League North34110—203712018–19For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round: For FA Trophy third qualifying round: National League North25040—20310Total59150—40681Basford United2019–20Northern Premier LeaguePremier Division5010—3191Career total413262825139548534
Honours Alfreton Town Conference North: 2010–11
Individual Conference North Team of the Year: 2010–11
References
External links
Profile at the Basford United F.C. website