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.
Born in Kingshurst in January 1961, Shaw was the golden boy of Villa’s golden era. Supporters easily identified with the blond-haired local lad who hit the target on a regular basis.
Shaw’s partnership with Peter Withe struck fear into the heart of opposition defences during the title-winning campaign of 1980-81 and the European Cup trail the following season. While Withe provided the power, Shaw’s pace and anticipation completed a lethal duo, earning him recognition far beyond Villa Park.
In 1981, having contributed 18 goals to Villa’s League Championship triumph, he was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. Twelve months later his talents were acknowledged on the continent as he received the accolade of European Young Footballer of the Year.
He began his apprenticeship with Villa in 1977 and by the end of the following year he had been given his first taste of senior football, making his debut as a substitute against Bristol City at Ashton Gate in August 1978 before having a couple of starting appearances.
After signing professional on his 18th birthday and establishing himself as a first-team regular in 1979-80, he missed only two league games during Villa’s march to the title the following season.
His Euro award was the result of some outstanding performances along the road to Rotterdam, including the crucial breakthrough goal from a tight angle in the quarter-final against Dynamo Kiev. He remained a regular during the 1982-83 season, during which he won a European Super Cup medal but then, sadly, became the victim of a series of injury problems which seriously curtailed his involvement.
After 213 appearances and 79 goals, he was given a free transfer in 1988, later playing in Denmark, Austria and Hong Kong. He subsequently worked for Villa as a youth team coach and for the Press Association.
In recent years, he had been a regular visitor to Villa Park on matchdays, engaging in Q&A sessions with guests in corporate areas around the stadium as well as working as a football statistician.
Rest in Peace, Gary.
