Aston Villa fans bid emotional farewell to Gary Shaw at club legend’s funeral in Birmingham.. after 1982 European Cup winner died aged 63
Aston Villa fans on Wednesday said their final goodbyes to Gary Shaw ahead of the club legend’s funeral in Sutton Coldfield.
The 1982 European Cup winner died at the age of 63 in September after injuring his head from a fall.
Shaw made 213 appearances for his boyhood side and scored 79 goals. He is regarded as one of the best forwards in the club’s 150-year history.
The striker played the full 90 minutes in the most famous day in the club’s history, starting up front with eventual match-winner Peter Withe on that memorable night in Rotterdam.
Now fans have gathered in their droves at Villa Park to pay their respects to the icon ahead of his cremation on Wednesday afternoon.
Aston Villa fans today said their final goodbyes to Gary Shaw ahead of the legend’s funeral
Supporters lined the streets by the stadium some time before the procession passed by
Fans have gathered in their droves at Villa Park to pay their respects to the icon ahead of Shaw’s cremation
Supporters lined the streets by the stadium some time before the procession passed by, with Villans legends including Withe in attendance.
As Shaw’s family and friends arrived at the reception, some mourners began toasting his memory with pints and talked among themselves.
Applause then broke out among those present as the hearse arrived with many singing the terrace chant Holte Enders in the Sky in what was an emotional scene.
The cortege arrived at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium at around 2.15pm, signalling the start of the private phase of proceedings.
Last month, Villa announced the tragic news in a club statement and paid tribute to one of the heroes of their 1982 triumph.
‘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,’ the statement read.
‘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.
Supporters lined the streets by the stadium some time before the procession passed by
Applause then broke out among those present as the hearse arrived with many singing the terrace chant Holte Enders in the Sky
As Shaw’s family and friends arrived at the reception, some mourners held up signs and talked among themselves
Villans legends including Peter Withe (right), who scored the winner in the 1982 European Cup final, were in attendance
‘The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.’
Shaw, born in Kingshurst, Birmingham, in January 1961, became an apprentice at Villa in 1977 and went on to make his debut for the club the following year.
He quickly established himself as one of the top forwards in England and was crowned PFA Young Player of the Year in 1981 after a season in which he scored 18 goals en route to Villa winning the League Championship.
Shaw also scored the first of Villa’s three goals in their 3-1 victory over Barcelona to win the 1982 European Super Cup.
Sadly Shaw’s time at Villa Park was curtailed due to injury issues and he eventually departed his boyhood club in 1988, going on to play in Denmark, Austria and Hong Kong.
After he retired in 1992, Shaw returned to Villa where he became a youth coach.
The player (left) is an icon at Villa after he won the European Cup with the club back in 1982
Shaw departed Villa in 1988 after his final years at the club were ruined by various injuries
In recent years, Shaw was a constant presence at Villa Park where he entertained corporate guests with Q&A sessions.
Following his death, various heartfelt tributes to the footballer have been held including a minute’s silence at the Villans’ home clash with Wolves
Shaw’s name featured on the teamsheet on the matchday programme ahead of the side’s incredible 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.
