Chris Erskine


Chris Erskine is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for East Kilbride in the Lowland League as a midfielder. He is most associated for his 3 spells with Partick Thistle. He has also previously played for junior side Kilbirnie Ladeside where he began his career, Dundee United and Livingston.

Early life

Erskine was born in Rutherglen. He was briefly a youth player with Clyde aged around 12 or 13 before joining Calderwood Blue Star, a boys' team in East Kilbride.

Playing career

Erskine joined junior football team Kilbirnie Ladeside at the age of 18. He spent four years at Kilbirnie while also working as a pipe fitter at Glasgow shipyards, before signing a one-year contract with Partick Thistle at the start of season 2009–10. He made his professional debut against Airdrie United,
and in his home debut against Berwick Rangers scored twice in a 5–1 victory. On 9 April 2011, Erskine scored two goals in ten minutes against Falkirk. On 17 March 2012, he made his 100th appearance for Thistle and scored two goals in the 5–0 win at Palmerston Park over Queen of the South.
On 16 April 2013 it was announced that Erskine, along with Thistle teammate Paul Paton, had signed a pre-contract agreement with Dundee United and would join at the start of the 2013–14 season. He scored his first goal for Dundee United in a 4–0 win against St Mirren. On 20 January 2014, Erskine returned to Partick Thistle on a loan deal until the end of the season, after failing to secure a regular place in the Dundee United squad. Having returned to Dundee United for the 2014–15 season, Erskine scored in United's first game of the season, a 3–0 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
It was announced on 16 January 2016 that Erskine had signed a pre-contract agreement to rejoin Partick Thistle for a third time. He rejoined the club officially in June 2016. Erskine's first goal of his third spell at Partick Thistle came on the first day of the 2016–17 Scottish Premiership season in a 2–0 victory at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. In December he made his 200th appearance for the Jags. Erskine's first season back at Thistle ended with the club achieving a top six finish with Erskine making 42 appearances scoring 9 goals in all competitions.
He was confirmed as Thistle's player of the year for the 2017–18 season, despite having stated he was 'embarrassed' to be nominated after the club's poor performances over the campaign; ultimately they were relegated to the Championship after losing the play-off against Livingston.
Erskine joined Premiership club Livingston in January 2019 for a nominal transfer fee, signing an eighteen-month contract.
Erskine agreed a one year deal with hometown club East Kilbride in July 2020.

Personal life

His younger brother Liam McLaughlin is also a footballer who has played in the Junior leagues for East Kilbride Thistle.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

;Partick Thistle