The 42-year-old is believed to have had an interview with the Shrimpers board following his dismissal from the Bantams, who recently replaced him with ex-Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson. Law is best known for his time with Chesterfield, who he would have guided to the Third Division title in 2000/1 but for financial irregularities, although the Spireites were still promoted in third place.
Law has told the BBC, "If and when the time is right I'm sure the board will come out and say who their man is going to be". He did reveal that talks had taken place by commenting, "It wouldn't be right for me to comment on any conversations which have gone on between a football club and myself". In a possible pointer to his appointment, Laws revealed, "I think there's somethong to work with and I know the club are looking to move to a new ground and I think the board are doing a good job there".
Greenwich-born Law started his playing career as an apprentice with Arsenal at the age of 17, but he left the Highbury outfit in 1981 to join Barnsley. He played over a hundred games for the Tykes before another free transfer saw him join Blackpool across the Pennines after four years. It took £40,000 to prize him away from the Seasiders and to another resort in Plymouth. He was a regular for the Pilgrims before moving to Notts County for £70,000 in the summer of 1988.
During his time at Meadow Lane he spent three months with Blues’ F.A. Cup third round opponents Scarborough, and it was little surprise that at the end of the 1989/90 campaign Law moved for £35,000 to Rotherham United. He topped 150 league and cup appearances with the Merry Millers in three years, but in 1993 he moved to Chesterfield. He spent three years as a player at Saltergate, making over a hundred appearances, and after a short spell with Hereford United he ended his playing career with Ilkeston Town.
At the end of his playing days, which totalled 523 league games and 610 in all competitions, netting thirty times, he became increasingly involved with Chesterfield as Community Officer. When John Duncan departed in April 2000, Law became caretaker boss, but it was not long until he was appointed on a permanent basis. The very next season he won promotion, as already detailed, with that nine-point deduction for the club’s financial dealings.
2001/2 saw the Spireites complete the Second Division season just five points clear of the drop zone, but considering the continuing cloud lingering above the Saltergate club this was some achievement. During the summer he was linked with Bradford City, and after Jim Jefferies left the club, Law was appointed as manager. He finished his first Division One season in 15th, before finishing last year 19th, still in charge of a club with monetary problems. However, on November 9th 2003 he was dismissed from Valley Parade after increasing supporter pressure, with the club in 23rd position.
On the day that Ron Martin was expected to make an announcement about a new manager, another name thrown into the ring has been ex-Bristol Rovers assistant boss John Still. The ex-Barnet and Peterborough United manager was told to leave the Pirates, who Southend face in Third Division action this weekend, due to the southwest side’s financial problems. There has been no comment from the club as yet about either man.
The Little Gazette will bring more on the managerial situation as it happens, although we remain firmly behind the current caretaker duo of Steve Tilson and Paul Brush, who have won four of their five matches in charge so far, including last weekend’s incredible eight-man victory over Swansea City and an emphatic LDV Vans Trophy quarter-final triumph against Second Division Luton Town, being handed the position, at least until the end of the season.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com