Lawrie signed pro forms with Hibernian following a trial that Army compatriot and Hibs player Jock Buchanan had suggested he apply for.
After initially competing for his place with Tommy Younger, he became the club's first choice 'keeper and was in the Hibs side that reached the 1958 Scottish Cup final, which they lost 1–0 to Clyde.
After falling out of favour at West Ham at the start of the 1963–64 season – by this time Leslie's replacement, Jim Standen had established himself as the Hammers' first choice goalkeeper-, he requested a transfer.
[5] He lost his first choice status in 1965–66 due to the emergence of John Farmer and he left in the summer of 1966 for Millwall.
He was due to play for Scotland in the infamous 9–3 defeat by England at Wembley, but he was injured one week beforehand and Frank Haffey was selected instead.