KIRKIE LAWSON 1948-2022
Kirkie Lawson has sadly passed away at the age of 74 and older Falkirk fans will remember him as a striker in the early 1970’s.
Kirkie started out making headlines when he was a member of a strong Blantyre Vics side that won the Scottish Junior Cup at Hampden in a 1-0 win over Penicuik. He also netted a hat-trick for a Scottish Junior F.A. side and it was no surprise when he signed for Motherwell in time for the start of the 1970/71 season. He was a popular player with the Fir Park crowds, but by the end of 1972/73 he found himself behind Graham and Goldthorp in the pecking order.
John Prentice was the new manager at Brockville and Kirkie was signed in time to play against St. Johnstone in a 1-1 home draw. Falkirk were already struggling and Kirkie played in every league game for the rest of that season. The club were relegated and Kirkie was often an isolated figure up front. He scored a goal after only three minutes in the final league game of that season against champions elect Celtic where the Bhoys clinched the title and Falkirk were relegated. Kirkie was top scorer and he continued to find the net in the following season as Falkirk raced to the league title. One of his best games was in the home leg of the League Cup quarter-final against Hearts at Brockville. Few who were at the game will forget his unstoppable volley past Kenny Garland from just inside the box with only a few minutes of the game left to play. Kirkie finished second top scorer with ten goals, four less than Jim Shirra.
Kirkie’s last season at Falkirk was in 1975/76 and he scored six goals in that campaign. George Miller came in as the manager after Prentice was sacked after a defeat against Stirling Albion and Kirkie started in 23 of the 26 league games in a curtailed season. It came as a real surprise when he was included in the list of free transfers along with other regulars Stewart Wheatley and Tom McLeod.
Kirkie’s last senior club was Hamilton where he played for one season before returning to the junior ranks with Shettleston. His senior career had shown that the early promise was justified and it is a pity that his time with Falkirk coincided with the club going through a period of upheaval after the departure of Willie Cunningham. In total, he scored 26 goals from 112 (4) games.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
| League | 82 (2) | 20 |
| League Cup | 10 (2) | 3 |
| Scottish Cup | 6 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 3 |
| Total | 112 (4) | 26 |
Falkirk Football Heritage Trust 