Gary Shaw played a major role in Aston Villa’s rise to the top of English and European football.
The homegrown forward was a key part of the team that won the First Division title in 1981 and the European Cup a year later.
Shaw’s former captain Dennis Mortimer has penned the below tribute on behalf of the Former Players Club following his passing…
I want to recognise the contribution Gary made on the pitch and to pay tribute to the man he was away from it. His role in the team that took Aston Villa to the Division One title in 1981 and the European Cup a year later, when we became champions of Europe, cannot be understated.
He’s the first player we’ve lost from that era. The contribution he made is reflected in the fans and the love they have for him. Those who saw him play and those who have been in his company since he retired know how much playing for Aston Villa meant to him.
I speak for all of his former teammates when I say we’re going to miss his smiley face. He was a rascal and he lived his life to the full.
We’re going to miss him dearly at Villa Park. We’re going to miss him when we meet up and celebrate the anniversaries of our successes. His absence when we come together for the Bayern Munich game in the Champions League in a couple of weeks will leave a big void. It’s going to be a sad day without him.
Gary was one of those players who was a natural footballer. I remember doing an article about him once and putting him in the same sphere as Kenny Dalglish, he was that good.
He was a Birmingham lad and he gave so much to the football club. His passing leaves us with a big void. He was a very likeable person who would talk to anybody. When we were playing, he was a young man who revelled in playing football. After he finished, he loved the opportunity to talk about the game, to talk about Aston Villa and his part in the club’s history. He was such a lovely lad. It’s such a shame that we’ve lost him far too soon. Most people who have met Gary will have gone away with a good impression of him.
I know Villa Park will come together on Saturday to remember what he did for the football club. The fans will remember him because of his exploits, and we shall keep his memory alive through those successes.
A lot of love goes out to Gary’s family and friends from all of us.
Rest in Peace, Gary. Thanks for the memories, you won’t be forgotten.
Dennis Mortimer on behalf of the Aston Villa Former Players Club
