Lawrie McMenemy is a renowned name in the world of professional football coaching. Born on 26th July 1936 in Gateshead, United Kingdom, the now 86-year-old has had an illustrious career spanning over four decades.

McMenemy started his footballing journey as a player with Gateshead FC and later moved on to play for other clubs such as Halifax Town and Grimsby Town. However, it was as a coach that McMenemy truly found his calling. He started his coaching career with Bishop Auckland, where he was instrumental in their success in the Northern League.

Soon after, McMenemy took on the role of coach at Grimsby Town, but it was his time at Southampton (1973-1985) that earned him widespread recognition. During his tenure, he led the club to their first major trophy, the Football League Cup, in 1976. Additionally, he also guided the club to their highest-ever league finish of second place in the First Division in 1984.

McMenemy’s expertise in coaching and his dedication to the sport was recognized when he was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986. He continued coaching, with notable spells at Sunderland and Northern Ireland’s national team. In 1998, McMenemy published his autobiography titled textit{A Lifetime’s Obsession}, which detailed his experiences as a player and coach.

Despite retiring from active coaching, McMenemy remains a revered figure in the football world. He has also been a patron of the charity organization, the Society of St James, for over three decades. It is not wrong to say that Lawrie McMenemy is a living legend in the world of football, with a career that has hugely impacted the sport in the UK and beyond.