Alex Lacey

Alexander Lawrence Lacey (born 31 May 1993) is an English footballer who plays as a central defender for Hartlepool United.

Born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Lacey joined the Luton Town youth set-up as a first-year scholar in 2007.

Lacey began his career with Luton Town, signing his first professional contract in November 2010.

He subsequently had spells on loan with Cambridge City, Thurrock, Eastbourne Borough and Eastleigh.

As a 16-year-old, he was an unused substitute during Luton's narrow 1–0 defeat to League One side Southampton in the FA Cup in January 2010.

He signed a professional contract with Luton in November 2010 and made his first-team debut a month later, starting against Welling United in a 0–0 draw in the FA Trophy.

He made two further starts in the club's FA Trophy campaign, which culminated in Luton being defeated in the semi-final to Mansfield Town.

Lacey made his league debut as a substitute on 30 April 2011 in a 1–1 draw against Wrexham.

He played the full 90 minutes of a pre-season friendly in July 2011 against Southern League Premier Division side Cambridge City, with his display in defence described as "impeccable" and "assured".

Lacey's performance was not overlooked by Cambridge City, who subsequently signed him on loan for an initial month, alongside fellow Luton youth player JJ O'Donnell, on 12 August 2011.

This loan was later extended until October.

Lacey returned to Luton having made 14 appearances, and then joined Conference South side Thurrock on loan for a month in November.

He played three times in this loan period, and then played in three FA Trophy games upon his return to Luton.

He was sent to Eastbourne Borough on loan for the final two months of the 2011–12 season, making 14 appearances and scoring two goals as he helped the club narrowly avoid relegation.

Lacey was linked with moves to Championship sides Southampton and Burnley, but signed a new two-year contract with Luton in June 2012.

Injuries prevented Lacey from breaking into the Luton first-team at the beginning of the 2012–13 season and, when fit, manager Paul Buckle preferred to use the loan market for young defenders, bringing in Connor Essam and Simon Ainge.

Paul Buckle had been replaced at Luton by experienced manager John Still towards the end of the 2012–13 season.

Returning to the first team, Lacey was named as Luton's captain ahead of the 2013–14 season.

Lacey joined Conference South side Eastleigh in January 2013 on a one-month loan that was later extended until the end of the season.

He played in both legs of Eastleigh's play-off semi-final in April 2013, which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Dover Athletic.

He returned to Luton having played in 20 games, scoring once, and was praised for his performances both at centre-back and right-back.

Still named Lacey as Luton's captain during their 2013–14 pre-season games to improve his communication skills.

On the opening day of the 2013–14 season, an injury to regular captain Ronnie Henry and a red card for vice-captain Steve McNulty meant that Lacey, at the age of 20, had the unusual distinction of captaining Luton on his first league start for the club; a 1–0 defeat to Southport.

Lacey played in central defence in Luton's opening six games of the 2013–14 season, during which the team kept four clean sheets.

He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win against Woking on 25 September 2013 and remained in the starting XI as Luton embarked on a club-record 27 league game unbeaten run.

He fractured a metatarsal in a 3–0 win against Southport in November 2013, which sidelined him for three months.

By the time Lacey had recovered, he had been replaced in central defence by Fraser Franks.

With his Luton contract set to expire at the end of the season, Lacey was linked with potential moves to Bournemouth, Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Peterborough United.

Luton won the Conference Premier title during the 2013–14 season, with Lacey playing in a total of 21 league games.

However, on 3 April 2014, Lacey signed a two-year contract extension with Luton.

He made his Football League debut on the opening day of the 2014–15 season, playing in a new position as a defensive midfielder as Luton beat Carlisle United 1–0.

He played in a total of 20 matches throughout the campaign, often as a substitute, and was placed on the transfer list at the end of the season.

Lacey earned promotion to the Football League with Luton that season before leaving in 2015 for Yeovil Town.

On 22 July 2015, Lacey joined League Two side Yeovil Town on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal.

He scored his first goal for Yeovil in an EFL Trophy match against Milton Keynes Dons on 6 December 2016.

Lacey also scored in three League Two ties; a 2–1 home win against Plymouth Argyle, a 3–1 away win at Morecambe and a 3–3 draw away at Exeter City.

He was a near ever-present in his second season at the club, featuring in 47 games in all competitions.

He would spend two seasons with Yeovil, but left in 2017 to sign for Gillingham.

After two seasons with Gillingham, Lacey signed for non-League club Notts County.

He left Notts County in 2022, signing for Hartlepool United.