Gary Shaw - RIP

[Flamingo Lane]

Strangely, one of my most vivid and fondest memories of Gary Shaw is of him playing in the Villa youth team that played Leicester away in the FA Youth Cup. It was just at the point when he was on the cusp of becoming a first team player, and that night at Leicester he was head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch, scoring our goal in a 1-1 draw. I was able to go to that game as I'd just started university at Leicester, and took along a mate (a Sheffield United fan). Great days, and me and my mate both still talk about that game and, in particular, just how good was that blond haired boy playing for Villa up front.

[dalians umbrella]

Strangely, one of my most vivid and fondest memories of Gary Shaw is of him playing in the Villa youth team that played Leicester away in the FA Youth Cup. It was just at the point when he was on the cusp of becoming a first team player, and that night at Leicester he was head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch, scoring our goal in a 1-1 draw. I was able to go to that game as I'd just started university at Leicester, and took along a mate (a Sheffield United fan). Great days, and me and my mate both still talk about that game and, in particular, just how good was that blond haired boy playing for Villa up front.

I never saw Gary play but my standout memory is 25 years ago, when he rang my house to ask me something, and my dad answered and asked who was speaking. When he said "Gary Shaw", my dad said "Gary, you're my hero!" and came to find me, beaming.

[dalians umbrella]

I've just seen someone on another villa forum say that he is out of the induced coma!

[Clampy]

I've just seen someone on another villa forum say that he is out of the induced coma!

That's very good news if true.

[Nunkin1965]

Great news if true.
Wishing him a swift recovery.

[PeterWithesShin]

Those that are too young to have seen him play will never know just how good he was. That his career was ruined before he was 23 was a tragedy.

[dalians umbrella]

Those that are too young to have seen him play will never know just how good he was. That his career was ruined before he was 23 was a tragedy.

Today, a meniscal tear can either be repaired in some cases or "trimmed" (a partial menisectomy).  Back when Gary was playing, it was not uncommon to completely remove them (complete menisectomy) which leaves the knee with no cushioning and results in early and severe osteoarthritis.  Gary told me this was what he had done. So it is even more tragic when you consider it wasn't even what we would consider a major injury today and it was the unsophisticated surgery that ended his career.

[Bad English]

Digne had a pop from a free kick there.
Soz Gaz! Wrong thread.

[Brazilian Villain]

Digne had a pop from a free kick there.
Soz Gaz! Wrong thread.

It's fine, I put it in the correct thread.

[Pat McMahon]

I think I have mentioned this before but in the late 70s early 80s Bill Shankly had a column in the Sports Argus.  In one Saturday edition he made the claim that Gary Shaw had the potential to be the most exciting British player since Denis Law.

 I was too young to have seen much of Law ( he barely registered in my eyes in the 1970 league cup semi final) but he was revered by grown ups, particularly Scots, so this was high praise from Shankly. Particularly as Dalglish was by then winning trophies for fun at Liverpool.

[JD]

Sad news to hear. I do hope you recover soon Gary.

[Percy McCarthy]

I've just seen someone on another villa forum say that he is out of the induced coma!

Not true according to my mate who went to visit tonight at 6.

[PeterWithesShin]

A medically induced coma will usually be for at least a few days, and normally a week or more.

[dalians umbrella]

I've just seen someone on another villa forum say that he is out of the induced coma!

Not true according to my mate who went to visit tonight at 6.

Oh no.
That had really raised my hopes. I'm very sorry for raising other peoples' too.

[dalians umbrella]

A medically induced coma will usually be for at least a few days, and normally a week or more.

I assumed we were only hearing about it today and it must have been a week or so.
I've been refreshing all day for good news and when I saw some, I got so excited I wanted to share it.
Sorry again.