Aston Villa icon Gary Shaw dies aged 63 as tributes paid to European Cup winner (original) (raw)

Gary Shaw, who was part of the Aston Villa team which won the European Cup in the 1981-82 season, has died at the age of just 63 after suffering a fall earlier in September

Gary Shaw playing for Aston Villa in 1982

Aston Villa’s Champions League return has been overshadowed by the death of Gary Shaw - one of its European Cup-winning heroes.

As the club prepared this weekend to return for the first time to a competition it last graced 41 years ago, it was confirmed that Villa’s former golden boy had failed to wake from an induced coma. Shaw, 63, was admitted to hospital last week after reportedly suffering a fall outside his house and never regained consciousness.

A statement released by the club on Monday read: "Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away.

"Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

"He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

It was a desperately sad end for someone who was the darling of the Holte End at the height of his career. And the news broke litle more than 48 hours before Villa resume their place in a competition they won with Shaw playing a key part in their 1-0 victory in the final against Bayern Munich.

Shaw was one of the key members of the side that not only lifted the cup under boss Tony Barton but also the First Division title when Ron Saunders was at the helm 12 months earlier. With his blond hair and good looks he became a pin-up on and off the pitch and looked to have the world at his feet until the knee injury that blighted not just also his playing days but also caused trouble throughout the rest of his life. However, it was as a teenager under Saunders that Shaw blossomed.

He had been taken under his wing by senior members of Villa’s squad after breaking into the first-team at the tender age of 17. He signed professional forms for club he supported as a boy on his 18th birthday and his rise to the top was meteoric.

Gary Shaw playing for Aston Villa in 1980 (

Image:

Mirrorpix)

He missed just two matches during Villa’s title win in 1981 and scored against Dynamo Kiev in the quarter-final of the European Cup 12 months later as Villa went on to lift the trophy. His name has been immortalised on a huge banner which adorns the North Stand of the ground, taking the words from Brian Moore’s commentary.

It was Shaw who found winger Tony Morley who crossed the ball for Peter Withe to grab the winner in Rotterdam. The Solihull-born forward had been voted into the PFA’s team of the season but was also crowned European young footballer of the year.

However, little more than 16 months after that glory came the injury during a game at Nottingham Forest that was to signal the beginning of the end.

Shaw picked up a knee injury that brought about his premature demise. In later life, he became a regular in press boxes as he worked covering matches for the Press Association.

Pay your tributes to Gary Shaw in the comments section

Gary Shaw playing for Aston Villa in 1980 (

Image:

Mirrorpix)

"Our league and European champion, Gary Shaw has passed away," broadcaster Jonny Gould wrote in one of a number of social media tributes. "Immensely sad and tragic news for all #AVFC supporters and every fan who remembers this magical era for football. He could really play."

Former Chelsea and Scotland striker David Speedie was another to pay tribute. "Really sad to hear @AVFCOfficial legend Gary Shaw has passed away," he wrote on social media. "He was a fantastic footballer who was a worthy winner of club footballs greatest prize. My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Gary at this difficult time."

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