Prior to becoming a footballer, Lawrence worked as a supermarket attendant in Port of Spain. He later joined the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and became eligible to play for their football teamDefence Force. Lawrence signed for Wrexham for a fee of £100,000 in 2001, joining from Defence Force of his native Trinidad, becoming the third Trinidadian at Wrexham along with Hector Sam and Carlos Edwards. Before signing for Wrexham, he had trials at Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers. After some poor performances when he first joined the club, Lawrence went on to become a valued and popular player at the Welsh club, winning the 2003–04 Player of the Season award. He has also become the first Wrexham player to play at a World Cup, starting all three of his country's games. He signed for Swansea City on 16 August 2006 after Swansea had lost central defender and skipper Garry Monk to injury. He made an impressive Swansea debut in a 2–0 win over Doncaster Rovers winning the Man of the Match award. On 30 September 2008 it was announced he had joined Crewe Alexandra on a 4-month loan until January. On 30 December 2008 the loan was extended until the end of the 2008–09 campaign, but he returned to the Liberty Stadium at the end of his loan spell on 2 May. Lawrence was released from his contract after two years with Swansea City on 4 May, with his former loan employers Crewe Alexandra interested in a permanent move. In September 2009 he signed a deal to play for San Juan Jabloteh in his native Trinidad. On 18 March 2010 Wrexham manager Dean Saunders revealed that Lawrence was training at his former club along with fellow former Swansea player Kristian O'Leary.
International career
Lawrence has been an important player for the Trinidad and Tobago national team, having made his debut on 18 March 2000. He was awarded the MVP award at the 2001 Caribbean Cup, which Trinidad and Tobago won. On 16 November 2005, he scored the goal against Bahrain that awarded Trinidad and Tobago a ticket to the 2006 World Cup. He played every minute of his country's campaign in Germany as the Soca Warriors secured an impressive 0–0 draw against Sweden and gave England a run for their money. He is also the player who approached Port Vale's Chris Birchall and asked him if he was interested in representing Trinidad and Tobago. After a failed qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Lawrence, who had succeeded Dwight Yorke as national captain, announced his retirement from international football with 89 caps under his belt.
International goals
Coaching career
Lawrence joined Wigan Athletic as a coach in October 2010 after impressing Spanish manager Roberto Martinez on a trial during the 2010/11 pre-season. When Martinez was appointed as manager of Everton, Lawrence was appointed as first-team development coach. On 30 January 2017, Lawrence was appointed manager of Trinidad and Tobago.
