Former Aston Villa Striker Gary Shaw Dies Aged 63 Following Fall Injuries
The football world is in mourning as Gary Shaw, a former Aston Villa striker and European Cup winner, has passed away at the age of 63 from injuries sustained in a fall. Shaw, a beloved figure at Villa Park, played a pivotal role in helping Aston Villa secure the 1981 league title and the European Cup triumph in 1982.
Aston Villa released a statement expressing their deep sadness, noting, “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.” Shaw’s family confirmed that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Born and raised as a Villa fan, Shaw progressed through the club’s youth system and went on to score 79 goals in 213 appearances for his boyhood team. He was instrumental in Villa’s golden era during the early 1980s, forming a deadly partnership with Peter Withe that led to both domestic and European glory.
Shaw’s individual accolades include being named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982. Despite his talents, Shaw’s England career was limited to seven Under-21 caps, with stiff competition from stars like Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis.
His playing career was sadly cut short by a serious knee injury in 1983. After brief stints at clubs like Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Shrewsbury Town, he retired from professional football in 1992. In his post-playing years, Shaw worked as a statistical analyst and later served as a club ambassador for Aston Villa.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s current manager, paid tribute to Shaw, stating that the team will dedicate their upcoming Champions League match against Young Boys to his memory. “We have a memory always, in our training ground a picture of 1982 and the European Cup, he was a protagonist of that. My condolences to the family and all the supporters at Villa,” said Emery.
Shaw’s legacy as a quicksilver striker with a sure touch in front of goal remains cherished by fans, teammates, and journalists alike. His contributions to Aston Villa’s rich history, particularly the iconic 1982 European Cup victory, will never be forgotten.
