Линфилд
Lawther played with several prominent Irish teams as a centre mid-fielder. He began in his teens playing with Ballymena United Football Club. In 1954 he signed with Linfield F.C., the most prominent team in Northern Ireland. 1956 saw Derek signing with Glenavon F.C. yet another distinguished Irish League team. It was with Glenavon that he earned his Amateur International cap versus Scotland in 1958. He finished his ten-year Irish playing career with Bangor F.C. in 1962.