27:. After immigrating to the United States, he developed his coaching talents and went on to coach the US Olympic team as well as several professional American soccer teams. Lawther is an American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator and an executive in a soccer education company.
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In 2005, several soccer-minded investors convinced
Lawther to expand his soccer influence by creating multimedia tools to improve the soccer skills and knowledge of the game. This group started a company to provide soccer expertise, training, and travel to advance the sport of soccer in the United
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While
Lawther was playing for SMSSC, he worked as a computer programmer and once again started a new life. He possesses a style and demeanor that enables him to be an effective communicator and motivator. To stay with the sport he loves and give back to the game, he started taking courses for his
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in 1973 and started coaching youth teams. His style, skills and affection for youth development have made him a highly successful coach. He coached teams in the
California Youth Soccer Association – South and became a District Coach. In 1976, he coached the Fountain Valley Eagles (U19) to a
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to pursue his playing career. At this time in
Northern Ireland, it was a common practice for a soccer player to have a day job and then practice at night. The companies hiring these players understood the commitment undertaken and gladly provided time off for games and travel.
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Lawther maintained his relationships with youth sports organisations. He was South
District Coach in the California Youth Soccer Association – South from 1974 to 1981. In 1981, he was the California State boys' coach that won the Nike Cup for the U19 division. He became the
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In 1950, Boyland Boys' Club accepted
Lawther to their team and organisation. Shortly thereafter, his Boyland coach advised him to leave school, as it was certain his future was in soccer. Lawther followed his advice, left school and became an apprentice
205:(formerly the Pacific Coast Athletic Association). His success at UCI was recognised with many awards and accolades. He was named Big West Coach of the Year in 1991. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation represents the Big West,
229:(AYSO) Area Coach Administrator. A position he still holds and enjoys. He also coached the Corona Del Mar High School boys' team for four years in the late nineties. He is still active in coaching club teams.
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When
Lawther returned to the United States after the unrest in Northern Ireland, he played and coached for the Santa Monica Soccer and Social Club (SMSSC) which played in the greater Los Angeles League.
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in 1978 when they participated in the
President's Cup in South Korea. The following year he coached the United States men's national team when they played against Mexico in Los Angeles and Russia in
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Previously, in addition to his coaching positions, Lawther started his own company that has been dedicated to the education of both soccer players and coaches since its inception in 1973.
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Lawther demonstrated his love and ability to work with young, amateur players when he coached youth, club and college level programs. He was chosen to coach the
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168:, eventually went on to play professional soccer, became a member of the Olympic and World Cup teams, and ultimately entered the AYSO Hall of Fame.
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His national success as a coach was recognised when the professional
American Soccer League was formed and he was named head coach of the
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men's team to the
California State championship. In 1983, after coaching professional teams, he began coaching at the
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95:, Lawther arrived in California to play for Scandia Soccer Club. He advanced his education in computer science at
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dubbing him as the "soccer guru". From 1984 to 1995, he coached the men's team in Division I competition in the
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and other selected universities in the western United States. In 1994, it named Lawther as Coach of the Year.
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Lawther played with several prominent Irish teams as a centre mid-fielder. He began in his teens playing with
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Cook, Marilyn. "Derek Lawther", Pro Soccer, Official Game Program of California Sunshine, 21 June 1977.
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39:, County Down, Northern Ireland on 20 August 1936. He is the eldest of three children. His brother,
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coaching credentials in 1971. He completed all coursework and received the following certifications:
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team. He garnered the American Soccer League Coach of the Year for 1978. In 1980, he joined the
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47:. Like most young Irish lads, Lawther played soccer for his elementary school teams.
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Davis,Cindy. "Under Lawther's Guidance, UCI Soccer Program Gets Off To Good Start",
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third-place finish in the national tournament. One of the players on that team,
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team. It was with Glenavon that he earned his Amateur International cap versus
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as a coach. The team was 2nd in the American Conference, Western Division.
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and businessman. He began his career in professional soccer as a player in
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In 1978, he began coaching at the college level and successfully took
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Dunn, Richard. "Is There Another Contender in the Sea View Race?",
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American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator
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in 1958. He finished his ten-year Irish playing career with
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In 1963, the day after the assassination of US President
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North American Soccer League (1968–1984) head coaches
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Sports in Brief. "Lawther to Coach Pro Soccer Team",
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Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland
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557:University of California, Los Angeles alumni
370:Counts,Chris. "Don Soccer Team Wins State",
344:"Moyers Turns Down Chance to Join U.S. Team"
327:Carr,Al. "Sunshine Coach Reaches His Goal",
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482:California Youth Soccer Association – South
472:Santa Monica Soccer and Social Club (SMSSC)
572:American Soccer League (1933–1983) coaches
567:UC Irvine Anteaters men's soccer coaches
467:American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO)
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412:, OC Edition, Page 17, 11 November 1994
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582:Men's association football midfielders
517:British emigrants to the United States
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277:Westcott, John. "Orange County Life",
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434:Soccer Corner, November 1978, page 19
400:, OC Edition, Page 4, 7 December 1994
387:, Section 3, Page 16, 22 October 1984
352:. Anaheim. 29 August 1978. p. 40
136:, Los Angeles, 1972 – Certificate 'B'
129:, Los Angeles, 1971 – Certificate 'C'
522:Association footballers from Belfast
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477:Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
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374:, el Don, Page 6, 8 December 1978
227:American Youth Soccer Association
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193:University of California, Irvine
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173:United States national B team
159:Lawther bought a new home in
243:North American Soccer League
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360:– via Newspapers.com.
183:College coaching experience
161:Fountain Valley, California
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562:Stanford University alumni
487:Corona Del Mar High School
444:US Soccer History Archives
279:The Orange County Register
150:, 1974 – Staff Certificate
76:yet another distinguished
552:Cliftonville F.C. players
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155:Early coaching experience
68:. In 1954 he signed with
547:El Camino College alumni
143:, 1973 – Certificate 'A'
502:American soccer coaches
450:3 January 2017 at the
219:West Coast Conferences
537:Glenavon F.C. players
532:Linfield F.C. players
233:Professional coaching
146:USSF 70-hour course,
139:USSF 70-hour course,
132:USSF 70-hour course,
125:USSF 70 hour course,
107:of 1965 to play with
101:Torrance, California
35:Lawther was born in
542:Bangor F.C. players
253:Business experience
239:California Sunshine
203:Big West Conference
141:Stanford University
410:Los Angeles Times
398:Los Angeles Times
385:Los Angeles Times
372:Santa Ana College
349:Los Angeles Times
330:Los Angeles Times
198:Los Angeles Times
189:Santa Ana College
109:Cliftonville F.C.
97:El Camino College
51:Player experience
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354:. Retrieved
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315:,1977-01-04.
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78:Irish League
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21:soccer coach
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512:1936 births
423:Daily Pilot
313:Daily Pilot
105:Watts riots
86:Bangor F.C.
31:Early years
496:Categories
265:References
207:Pacific-10
166:Rick Davis
88:in 1962.
448:Archived
258:States.
116:Coaching
82:Scotland
356:14 June
177:Seattle
58:printer
37:Belfast
19:is a
358:2024
217:and
134:UCLA
127:UCLA
245:'s
99:in
41:Ian
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