Icons: Dennis Law
It's time to explore another football icon. This time it's Denis Law
Denis Law had a fantastic career and many older fans of Manchester United still refer to him as The King of the Stretford End.
Early Life of Denis Law
He grew up in an Aberdeen Council Flat and was the youngest of six siblings. His dad George Law was a fisherman, and this fact would later feature in a chant created by Manchester United fans.
He supported Aberdeen and watched them on the terraces when he had the money to do so. He got his first pair of football boots as a teenager after receiving them as a present. The obsession with football led to Law turning down a place at the local grammar school as their sport of choice was Rugby.
The start of a glorious football career
After being scouted by Huddersfield Town, he was eventually signed by the Yorkshire side in April 1955. Not long after, he had an operation to remove his quint. This greatly improved his self-confidence.
Following Huddersfield’s relegation the previous season, Law made his debut in December 1956 and he helped his side win 2-1 against Notts County. Despite still being a teenager, his early form with Huddersfield impressed many within the game, and Matt Busby of Manchester United offered £10,000 to try and sign him. Huddersfield turned this down. Law eventually left Huddersfield and signed for Manchester City in March 1960.
Moving to Man City
Law moved to City for around £55,000, this was a British record transfer fee at the time. Matt Busby again tried to sign him, but City beat their rivals to his signature. City were struggling to avoid relegation at this point but Law coming in helped them stay in the First Division. The following season was better for City and Law and in a cup game v Luton, he scored an incredible six goals. However, the match was abandoned, and the goals didn’t count.
Law moves to Italy
Law’s transfer to Torino broke another British transfer record. Playing in a different country and experiencing a new culture proved too tempting for him. The wages offered by Torino dwarfed the wages that City and other English clubs were prepared to offer. They also offered additional performance-related payments for goals scored. This was a strong incentive for a natural-born striker. He scored four goals in his first six games.
"This was the first time I saw his genius..."
Paul from London is a Manchester United fan who spent time in Italy and witnessed law in action for the first time. He said: "I saw him play for Torino. I just thought, what a player he is!"
After a time out due to injury in a car crash, Law returned to the side in the final weeks of the season. Law knew that he did not want to spend another season in Italy. Terms were eventually agreed upon for a transfer to Manchester United. He finished that season with ten goals and was voted the best foreigner in Serie A for that season.
Return to England and signing for Manchester United
This move to Old Trafford made Law a true legend of the game. He impressed everyone immediately and spoke again about the difference in defending between the English and Italian leagues.
On his debut for United against West Brom, it took Law less than ten minutes to open his account. The match finished 2-2, but it was a great start for Law.
Despite a great first season back in England, United as a team did struggle for a period, and there were even relegation concerns. They found some success in the Fa Cup. This was an important moment for the club as it was their first final since 1958. United and Law rose to the occasion and went onto the final 3-1. Law scored one of the goals and this Fa Cup win proved to be a catalyst for success.
A special page dedicated to the FA Cup (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
The Holy Trinity
During his time at Old Trafford, Law was part of the legendary holy trinity of players alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best. Charlton had been an almost ever-present for the club and Best was an up-and-coming prospect that United had great faith in. Best would go on to make his debut during the following season.
It was obvious in 1963/1964 that progress was being made at Old Trafford. United narrowly missed the title as Law had the best season of his career. He scored a club-record 46 goals in 42 appearances during the season. That incredible season resulted in Law becoming the first and only Scottish footballer to win Ballon d’Or.
Great success with Man United
Denis Law scored 2️⃣3️⃣7️⃣ goals for us... but this was one of his best! 🚲#MUFC #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/19BIGpX5U8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 24, 2020
The 1964/1965 season was another great season for Law, as he scored another 36 goals. Law’s goals alongside the experience of Charlton and developing George Best played a huge part in United winning their first title since 1957. This success meant United could compete in the European Cup during the following season.
The 1965/1966 campaign wasn’t successful for him and the club. United finished the league season in 4th place and without a trophy. They did reach the Sem Finals of the European Cup, Law scored three times during this run and managed seventeen in all competitions.
"Law was a hero for so many of us..."
Contract dispute and more glory with the club
Law’s time at Old Trafford wasn’t without controversy. In 1966, a contract dispute with Busby led to Law being placed on the transfer list. During Wayne Rooney’s dispute with the club several decades later, Law spoke about the similarities at this time
Law put the contract dispute and a trophyless season behind him during 1966/1967 as he played another huge in United winning the league. Law scored 23 league goals, this included two in a 6-1 thrashing of West Ham that sealed the title with a game to spare.
Missing out on the glory of 1968
Another title meant another go at the European Cup. The 1967/1968 season was successful for United as they finally became European Champions, but it turned into a frustrating one for Law.
He had an ongoing knee problem that was beginning to cause him serious problems. He was given injections to ease the pain and he missed the deciding 2nd leg of the European Cup Semi-Final against Real Madrid and the final against Benfica.
"He deserved that medal as much as anyone..."
One United fan told us: "The 1968 final was the best night of my life but I was gutted that Denis Law couldn't play. He deserved that medal as much as anyone."
The final seasons with United
His final seasons at Old Trafford saw little success and no major honours, but he did regain a decent level of goal-scoring power during 1968/1969. The club was determined to retain the European Cup after a disappointing league campaign. They reached the Semi-Finals where they faced AC Milan. United were well and truly up against it, suffering a 2-0 defeat in the first leg but still fancied their chances in front of a packed Old Trafford.
Bobby Charlton gave United hope, and then Law thought he’d scored a late second goal to level the tie on aggregate. Law had shot towards the goal and United players and fans started to celebrate. The referee judged that the ball had not crossed the line and the play carried on. United were out and Law knew that he would never get to play in a European Cup final. If only there was VAR in 1969.
Manchester United V A.C Milan 1969 Football Programme now available on https://t.co/SGCCLsLok9 @ManUtd @acmilan @NonLeagueCrowd @NonLgeProgs #ManUtd #ACMilan #LD pic.twitter.com/OgYnWcnqZu
— BobsFootballProgrammes (@bobsprogrammes) October 2, 2018
Did he relegate Manchester United?
Law’s final seasons at Old Trafford were marred by injuries. He finally left the club in 1973. Despite those injury-hit seasons, he finished his United career with a tally of 237 goals for United and remains a club legend. He was allowed to leave on a free transfer and returned to Man City. His second spell at Maine Road was largely uneventful but there was a controversial and iconic moment towards the end of the 1974 season.
The Manchester derby saw City head to Old Trafford to face United. His former club needed a win to retain hope of survival, and it was a Law backheel that is believed to have sealed their fate. Law has since out pointed out United were heading for relegation anyway. He retired from football after that second spell with City.
We spoke with a number of additional Manchester United fans who all made the same point: "We would have gone down anyway that day. However, he became a symbol of what had gone wrong with the club that day."
International Career
Law broke numerous records for Scotland. The early promise made him the youngest Scottish international in modern times, and his incredible 30 goals in 55 appearances is still a joint record.
Law's legacy
The Denis Law Legacy Trust is a registered charity that operates and delivers several free-to-access programmes and positive destination activities for young people in Aberdeen. Primarily run through Street sport, the flagship programme is run in partnership with Robert Gordon University, we aim to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour; improve health and wellbeing; and encourage inclusivity through sport, physical activity and creative endeavour.
From a football perspective, his legacy was also huge. As you have seen throughout this article, Law is still adored by fans at Old Trafford. The Lawman is a fascinating documentary that charts the rise of the legend. One YouTuber commented on a trailer: "A great player, a great character. Just look at the pitches he played on compared to the carpets of today. I bet he never blamed a bobble for missing. However, he didn’t miss very often."
