In July 1972, he began a four-year stint with Carlisle United[4] before a three-year spell with Billy Bremner's Doncaster Rovers.
[6] He played 62 league games for The Bulls, scoring eight goals[7] before ending his career with a brief spell at Mansfield Town.
After his professional career ended, he returned to the south coast to live and played for Waterlooville before managing Selsey (initially as player-manager), Fareham Town[8] and Chichester City United.
A combative player,[9] Laidlaw was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a wing-half and ending it as a midfielder[10] despite playing a similar role throughout.
He was named their player of the season,[12] 2022-23, before joining Gosport Borough on loan in July 2023 and subsequently Isthmian League club Horndean.