Tributes have poured in for Denis Law, who passed away last week at the age of 84. Sir Alex Ferguson called him "the greatest Scottish player of all time" and few would dispute that.
Law's achievements have been well documented, but here are a few personal memories of the great player that fans dubbed "The King". He was blessed with natural all-round skills and a joy to watch. I was fortunate enough to see him in his prime at Wembley in the 1960s and even when he was on the losing side he caught the eye.
Despite his slight build and lack of height, Law was a great header of the ball. He had a tremendous leap which enabled him to rise above giant defenders. That required considerable courage.
The first time I saw Law in the flesh was at Wembley in 1961 playing for Scotland in that extraordinary game which England won 9-3. The score was a bit misleading because eccentric Scottish goalkeeper Frank Haffey had a nightmare.
Law recalled the scene after the game: "I could not believe it when I got into the dressing room. Haffey was singing in the bath! The rest of us were trying to drown ourselves."
I was to see Scotland's next two matches at Wembley in which they performed much better, winning 2-1 in 1963 and earning a 2-2 draw in 1965. In both games Law was outstanding and he scored Scotland's opening goal in the 1965 encounter.
In 1967 Law was on target again in one of Scotland's most famous victories at Wembley when they beat England 3-2. Coming shortly after England's 1966 World Cup triumph, the Tartan Army felt it made their team world champions.
I also saw Law score at Wembley in 1963 playing for the Rest of the World against England. The Scot said it was one of the biggest honours of his career explaining "I played alongside my all-time hero, Alfredo Di Stefano."
In club football, after successful spells with Huddersfield, Manchester City and Torino, Law is best known for his exploits with the outstanding Manchester United side in which he, Bobby Charlton and Georgie Best became known as the 'United Trinity'.
The stats speak for themselves. In his 11 years at United from 1962-73 Law made 404 appearances, scoring 237 goals. At United he won two league titles and an FA Cup medal. Injury kept him out of the United team which won the European Cup in 1967. However, in 1964 he won the prestigious Ballon d'Or.
Law returned to Man City for the 1973-74- season in which United were battling relegation.
In City's last game of the season against United at Old Trafford, in the 81st minute Law scored an audacious back-heeled goal against his old club. He feared that the goal had sealed United's relegation and did not celebrate. His heart had always been with United and he later commented "I have seldom felt so depressed as I did that weekend."
As it turned out, other results meant United would have been relegated anyway.
Law suffered atrocious luck during his first spell at City. In a 1961 Cup match away to Luton he had scored all six goals as City led the Hatters 6-2 when with 20 minutes to go the game was abandoned owing to a waterlogged pitch. Somehow Luton won the re-arranged match 3-1 with Law scoring City's goal. So Law scored seven in the fixture but lost and his extraordinary feat was expunged from the records.
Law was a true legend. RIP.
Law's achievements have been well documented, but here are a few personal memories of the great player that fans dubbed "The King". He was blessed with natural all-round skills and a joy to watch. I was fortunate enough to see him in his prime at Wembley in the 1960s and even when he was on the losing side he caught the eye.
Despite his slight build and lack of height, Law was a great header of the ball. He had a tremendous leap which enabled him to rise above giant defenders. That required considerable courage.
The first time I saw Law in the flesh was at Wembley in 1961 playing for Scotland in that extraordinary game which England won 9-3. The score was a bit misleading because eccentric Scottish goalkeeper Frank Haffey had a nightmare.
Law recalled the scene after the game: "I could not believe it when I got into the dressing room. Haffey was singing in the bath! The rest of us were trying to drown ourselves."
I was to see Scotland's next two matches at Wembley in which they performed much better, winning 2-1 in 1963 and earning a 2-2 draw in 1965. In both games Law was outstanding and he scored Scotland's opening goal in the 1965 encounter.
In 1967 Law was on target again in one of Scotland's most famous victories at Wembley when they beat England 3-2. Coming shortly after England's 1966 World Cup triumph, the Tartan Army felt it made their team world champions.
I also saw Law score at Wembley in 1963 playing for the Rest of the World against England. The Scot said it was one of the biggest honours of his career explaining "I played alongside my all-time hero, Alfredo Di Stefano."
In club football, after successful spells with Huddersfield, Manchester City and Torino, Law is best known for his exploits with the outstanding Manchester United side in which he, Bobby Charlton and Georgie Best became known as the 'United Trinity'.
The stats speak for themselves. In his 11 years at United from 1962-73 Law made 404 appearances, scoring 237 goals. At United he won two league titles and an FA Cup medal. Injury kept him out of the United team which won the European Cup in 1967. However, in 1964 he won the prestigious Ballon d'Or.
Law returned to Man City for the 1973-74- season in which United were battling relegation.
In City's last game of the season against United at Old Trafford, in the 81st minute Law scored an audacious back-heeled goal against his old club. He feared that the goal had sealed United's relegation and did not celebrate. His heart had always been with United and he later commented "I have seldom felt so depressed as I did that weekend."
As it turned out, other results meant United would have been relegated anyway.
Law suffered atrocious luck during his first spell at City. In a 1961 Cup match away to Luton he had scored all six goals as City led the Hatters 6-2 when with 20 minutes to go the game was abandoned owing to a waterlogged pitch. Somehow Luton won the re-arranged match 3-1 with Law scoring City's goal. So Law scored seven in the fixture but lost and his extraordinary feat was expunged from the records.
Law was a true legend. RIP.
