Tributes have been paid to Denis Law after the Scots football legend died aged 84.
The former Manchester United and Scotland striker’s family announced the sad news tonight, Friday, January 17, after battling Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia since 2021.
Law was born in Aberdeen in 1940 to parents George and Robina and met wife Diana when the pair were still teenagers, before they went on to have five children.
A family statement said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.”
After being diagnosed with the condition, Law recognised he had a long battle ahead and asked for “understanding and patience.”
He recognised that his brain was deteriorating and spoke of the distress this was causing him but vowed to continue watching football for as long as he was able.
Law said: “”I have good days and bad days and aim to take each day as it comes adjusting my lifestyle accordingly.”
Growing up, Law supported his local team Aberdeen F.C and began to obsess over football at an early age.
After showing early promise on the football pitch he was selected to play for Scotland schoolboys.
He was asked to go down for a trial at Huddersfield Town aged 14 and signed for them in 1955, before making his debut for the club in the English Second Division the following year at the tender age of 16.
The Aberdonian left the club in 1960 after scoring 19 goals in 91 game to sign for First Division outfit Manchester City.
In Manchester he began to establish himself as an icon of the game and bagged 25 goals in just 50 appearances, before he moved to Torino in Italy.
After one year in Italy, where he scored 10 goals in 28 apperances, Law returned to the UK and signed for Manchester United in 1962.
The Scot spent 11 years playing for Manchester United, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances and helped the club win the European Cup, two English titles and the FA Cup.
Law was adored by the Tartan Army and after making his debut with the national team at aged 18 in 1958 he went on to score 30 goals in 55 appearances.
He won the coveted Ballon d’Or in 1964 and remains the only Scottish player to achieve the feat.
Law was awarded a CBE in 2016 for his services to football and charity. The highly regarded Scot was also given the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen and received honorary degrees from Aberdeen, St Andrews and Robert Gordon universities.
A Manchester United statement said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.”
His former teammate Brian Kidd told United We Stand:. “He was slight, with the heart of a lion. An unbelievable finisher, he scored every type of goal. He said to me: ‘If you’re ever wide, don’t look up, put the cross in early. If I’m not there it’s my fault’. He was usually there. Sir Matt loved him. We all did. He was the King of the Stretford End.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen Football Club said: “Everyone at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Aberdeen born football legend Denis Law.
“One of Scotland’s greatest ever players, his legacy will live on in the North-east. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The Denis Law Legacy Trust, an Aberdeen-based children’s charity which provides free-to-access sport and creative activities, also paid tribute.
A statement read: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Denis and our foremost thoughts are with his family and close friends during this very sad time.
“Denis was Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian. As Patron of the charity that was built in his honour, he was an inspirational figure for so many people in the city.”
Scots politicians also paid their own tributes to Law on social media.
Humza Yousef shared a post from the Scotland Natioanl Team that read “we will not see his likes again.”
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn hailed him as “the greatest Scot to ever play the game”.
He added: “A man who loved Aberdeen and who, as patron of the charity built in his honour, gave so much back to communities across the city.
“A privilege to have been in his company. Rest in peace, Denis.”
Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland, wrote: “Sad news about Denis Law. A true Scottish footballing legend. I remember spending quite a bit of time when I went to see his statue in Aberdeen.
“RIP Denis.”