Law: The ‘puny’ youngster who became Scotland ‘King’

Humble beginnings and small physique did not limit a career that would one day see the legendary forward crowned best player in Europe

Never did I see a less likely football prospect – weak, puny and bespectacled

18 Jan 2025 - The Scotsman

Colin Stewart sportts@scotsman.com

The story of Denis Law’s life is a tale of the pauper who became ‘The King’.

The Manchester United and Scotland great, who has died aged 84, was the youngest of seven children when he was born in Aberdeen on February 24,1940. His arrival came just as the harsh realities of the second World War were hitting Britain and Law was not just penniless for most of his childhood, but shoeless too.

Raised by fisherman father George and mother Robina in a tiny council flat, he went barefootuntil the age of 12 and, when he finally did receive his first pair of shoes, they were handme-downs that had previously belonged to his three brothers.

He did not receive his first pair of football boots until the age of 16, but those frugal beginnings did nothing to limit a career that would one day see him crowned the best player in Europe.

In the early days, though, such visions were hard to imagine for a wiry teenager whose sight was badly affected by a serious squint. Having turned down a place at Aberdeen Grammar School – where rugby was the only sport on offer – the football-obsessed youngster go this big break in 1954 when he was spotted by Huddersfield scout Archie beat tie. a trial with the then First Division giants was offered, but a contract was by no means a certainty given Law’s sight problems.

“The boy’s a freak,” Terriers manager Andy Beattie was quoted as saying at the time. “Ne verdi di see a less likely football prospect–weak, puny and bespectacled.”

But beat tie saw enough potentialto sign law and even pay for surgery to correct his squint. “There was no one more surprised than me when they told me they’d like me to sign,” Law later said.

But it was an investment that would pay dividends for Huddersfield. Their relegation in 1955 opened the door for Law to join the first team and, while his record of 19 goals over four seasons was hardly prolific, the mentoring he received from new boss Bill Shankly combined with his burgeoning talents convinced Manchester City to pay a British record transfer fee of £55,000 for his services in 1960.

It was with City that Law gave the first real glimpse of the fearlessness that would make him such a lethal predator. A tally of 24 goals from 50 appearances provided value for City’s outlay, but his time at Maine road coincided with a lean spell for the Sky Blues and Law was itching to join a team which could compete for trophies.

A sojourn to Italy followed as he made a £110,000 move to Tori no, but the joy less defensive tactics in Serie A saw the Scot hankering for home. Sir Matt Busby offered him the escape route he was desperate for and he returned to Manchester to sign for united in the summer of 1962. This time – as he became one of the few to have played for both United’s great Scot Busby and future Liverpool boss Shankly – the fit was perfect.

The Red Devils were building again following the devastation of the Munich disaster, but the combination of Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best proved a match made in heaven as they become one of the most famed attacking triumvirates the English game has ever seen.

A year after he claimed the 1964 Ballond’ or–becoming the only Scotsman to lift the prize – Law helped fire United to their first Division One title since Munich. Having already won the FA Cup in 1963, Law helped United to another league title in 1966-67 before Busby’s side’s greatest achievement – European Cup glory. An injured Law had to sit out that win over Benfica at Wembley in 1968 as United became the first english team to lift the famous trophy.

As law’ s powers began to fade, so too did United’s. After 11 seasons in red, in which he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, making him the club’s third highest scorer of all time behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton, Law decided to return to City.

He scored a famous backheeled goal against his old side, which he declined to celebrate, on the day they were relegated to the second division, but, contrary to the urban myth, it was not the final blow which sent United down.

Although he played the majority of his career south of the border, Law’s devotion to Scotland was never in doubt and he remains their joint-record scorer with 30 goals, alongside Kenn yD a lg lish.Whil eD a lg lish’ s total came from more than 100 caps, though, Law amassed his in just 55. He played in the 1974 World Cup, but his fondest memory of pulling on the dark blue jersey was the 1967 triumph over England which saw the Scots crowned ‘unofficial champions of the world’.

Inducted into both the Scottish and English football halls of fame, the CBE he received at Buckingham palace in 2016 was another reminder just how far ‘The King’ had come since his days as a barefooted youngster.

Law revealed in August 2021 he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Vascular dementia.

He is survived by his wife Diana, sons Gary, Andrew, Robert and Iain and daughter Diana.

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Scottish football will never see his likes again 

United greats pay tribute to Law, a true ‘football giant’

18 Jan 2025 - The Scotsman

Colin Stewart sportts@scotsman.com

Former Manchester United captains Bryan Robson, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney last night led tributes to “fantastic man” and “great footballer” Denis Law following his death.

Law, who won two league titles with Manchester United and was a member of their European Cup-winning side under Sir Matt Busby in 1968 when they became the first English club to lift the trophy, has died aged 84.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021.

Law won the Ballon d’or in 1964 – the only Scottish player to do so.

United great Robson, who worked with Law in an ambassadorial role for the club, called the Aberdonian a “fantastic man”.

“We have lost one of football’s giants both as a player and a gentleman. It’s incredibly sad,” he said in an English newspaper column. “Denis was more than just a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man. So generous with his time and everything delivered with that great sense of humour of his.

“He would always be in my greatest ever Manchester United XI. He was a player so many of his peers idolised and with good reason, that iconic image of him with his sleeves pulled down and the one-arm salute after scoring.

“No one could represent what United stood for better than him. Full of flair on the pitch and a gentleman off it.”

Law stands third on the all-time list of United goalscorers behind Rooney and Bobby Charlton and Rooney described him as a “legend”.

The former England captain posted on X: “Legend. Thoughts with all Denis’ family and friends.”

United stalwart Neville added on Instagram: “Rest in Peace Denis. A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”

Capped 55 times by Scotland – he made his senior debut aged 18 in 1958 – Law remains his country’s joint all-time leading scorer with 30 goals alongside Kenny Dalglish.

Joe Jordan, who played with Law at the 1974 World Cup, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Denis was a special player and to lose someone like him I think will affect an awful lot of Manchester United fans. “A proper icon for his ability on the field to score goals but he had a special edge to him, not just as a player but as a person. “He was a special player. Denis Law is one of the greatest players to ever play for Scotland.

“What he achieved at club level, people associate Manchester United with Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law. That speaks for itself, he was a special player.

“Denis had an edge to him on the field, he would never be intimidated. He played against the best and came out on top on many, many occasions.”

The Scottish Football Association paid tribute to a “true great” on social media. In a short post on the Scottish national team’s X, it said: “A true great. We will not see his likes again. Denis Law. 19402025.”

Law played 84 times for Manchester City across two spells as they said the “whole of Manchester” was mourning.

In a reply to United’s X post breaking the news, they said: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you.

“Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time.”

His club career began at Huddersfield and the West Yorkshire club called him an “immortal of the sport”.

They said in a statement posted on X: “All at Huddersfield Town are profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Denis Law.

“A legend of not only our great club, but an immortal of the sport as a whole, he will be deeply missed and his memory cherished by us all.”

The message added: “Our collective thoughts are with Denis’ family and loved ones at this time. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier.”

Although born in Aberdeen, Law never played for the Dons. There is a bronze statue of him at the gable end of Provost Skene's House in the city which was sculpted by Alan Herriot and unveiled in 2021.

The Dons also paid tribute last night. “Everyone at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Aberdeen born football legend Denis Law,” they said. “One of Scotland’s greatest ever players, his legacy will live on in the North-east. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”