Aston Villa Football Club has announced the death of one of its most celebrated players, Striker Gary Shaw.
The club's European Cup-winning hero passed away earlier today, surrounded by his family. Shaw was renowned for his remarkable contributions to Aston Villa’s successes in the 1980s.
Shaw’s passing has left fans and the club mourning the loss of a player who helped lead Villa to major triumphs, including the European Cup victory in 1982.
Born in Kingshurst in January 1961, Shaw's football journey began when he joined Aston Villa as an apprentice in 1977.
He quickly made his mark, earning his senior debut in August 1978. By the 1979-80 season, Shaw had become a regular fixture in Villa's first team, showcasing his immense talent.
Shaw’s breakthrough came during the 1980-81 season when he scored 18 goals to help Aston Villa win the League Championship.
His outstanding performances earned him widespread recognition. In 1981, Shaw was named the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year, an honor given to the most promising young talent in English football.
The accolades continued as Shaw was named European Young Footballer of the Year in 1982, solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest talents in the game. During Villa’s remarkable run to the European Cup title in 1982, Shaw played a pivotal role, including scoring a crucial goal in the quarter-final against Dynamo Kiev.
Shaw’s crowning achievement came when Villa lifted the European Cup, a historic moment for the club.
He was also part of the team that won the European Super Cup in the 1982-83 season, further cementing his legacy at Villa Park. However, despite these successes, Shaw's career would soon take an unfortunate turn.
Plagued by injuries, Shaw struggled to maintain the same level of performance in the years that followed. Although his determination never waned, the injuries eventually took their toll on his playing career. In 1988, after making 213 appearances and scoring 79 goals for Aston Villa, Shaw was released from the club on a free transfer.
Following his departure from Aston Villa, Shaw’s career took him abroad, where he played in Denmark, Austria, and Hong Kong. While he never quite reached the heights of his time at Villa, his passion for football remained evident throughout these years.
In his post-playing days, Shaw found new ways to contribute to the game.
He worked as a youth team coach, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of players. Additionally, he worked as a football statistician, staying closely connected to the sport that had defined his life.
Despite his career moving beyond Villa Park, Shaw never strayed far from the club that made him a household name.
In recent years, he remained a regular presence at Aston Villa’s home matches, engaging with fans and reliving the memories of his glorious days on the pitch.
Aston Villa Football Club expressed its grief in a statement, saying, "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." The club also conveyed its condolences, adding, "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
Shaw's contributions to Aston Villa, both on and off the field, will not be forgotten.
His role in helping the club win its most prestigious honors, including the European Cup, remains one of the brightest moments in Villa’s history. For fans who witnessed his brilliance in the early 1980s, Shaw will always be remembered as one of Villa’s finest talents.
Despite the challenges he faced in the latter stages of his career, Shaw's resilience and love for the game left an enduring legacy. His involvement with the club and its supporters in recent years highlighted his unwavering connection to the Villa family.
Gary Shaw’s life and career were defined by his remarkable footballing talent, his role in Aston Villa's greatest triumphs, and his enduring connection to the club. From his early days as an apprentice to his pivotal role in winning the European Cup, Shaw's contributions to Aston Villa Football Club will forever be cherished.
His passing has left a void in the hearts of Villa fans, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers. Rest in peace, Gary Shaw.
