The Boy Who Would be King
“He was more than a mere goal scorer whose cavalier thrusts and menacing darts brought panic to opposing defences. Law was an inspiration to those around him at club and country level and to younger generations of fans everywhere. Team-mates adored him, opponents feared him and fans revered him. He was a free spirit, an extrovert, a complete one-off, a rare combination of impudence and intelligence, class and clout. Denis Law is, was and always will be The King.” - Alex Gordon, Author of King and Country.
The story of Denis is an astonishing and uplifting tale of triumph over adversity that saw a young boy from Aberdeen rise from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest football players the world has ever seen.
Denis played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, Torino and Manchester United and became the greatest footballer that Scotland has ever produced; an icon of the game revered and loved throughout the football world.
He is best known for the eleven years that he spent playing for Manchester United, where he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances and was named The Lawman and The King by their supporters.
“We all need role models. Denis was a year and a half older than me, I looked at him and thought; that’s what I want to be.”
Sir Alex Ferguson
the only scotsman to ever win the ballon d’or
Denis was born on February 24, 1940 at No 6 Printfield Terrace, Woodside, Aberdeen. His first pair of football boots was a birthday present from George Geddes, a friend and neighbour of his, which he received at 16 years of age.
He supported Aberdeen Football Club and watched the Dons when he had enough money to do so, attending local non-league teams when he did not. His obsession with football led to him turning down a place at Aberdeen Grammar School, a school which preferred rugby. Instead, he attended Powis Academy (now St. Machar Academy) in Aberdeen. Despite having a serious squint in his eye, he showed great promise once he was moved from full back to inside-left, and was selected for Scotland Schoolboys. From his hometown, he moved south to Huddersfield where his professional career kicked off.
Denis spent eleven glorious years playing for Manchester United earning the nicknames “The Lawman” and “The King”. In the 63/64 season, Denis scored 46 goals in all competitions, a Manchester United club record which still stands to this day. In the next season, 64/65, United won their first league title since the Munich disaster. Law’s goals that season left him top of the First Division’s scoring chart.
Denis won football’s highest honour, the Ballon d’Or in 1964 and to this day, he is the only Scotsman to have done so. The award has come into more prominence in the 21st century thanks to the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Internationally, Denis represented Scotland at the 1974 World Cup and is Scotland’s top goalscorer, alongside Sir Kenny Dalgleish.
statistics
Denis Law is still the only Scottish football player to win the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or.
His 30 goals for Scotland is still an all-time national record, one he shares with Kenny Dalglish.
Denis Law holds the record for most hat-tricks in Manchester United’s history and is one of the clubs top goal scorers ever.
His 46 goals in the 1964/64 season is still a Manchester United record.
He was involved in three record-breaking transfer deals. Moving from Huddersfield Town to Manchester City was a British fee record, from City to Torino was a record involving a British and Italian team, and from Torino to United was a further British record fee.
Denis signed his first professional contract with Huddersfield Town in 1955 and went on to flourish under the management of the legendary Bill Shankly.
‘Legend’ statue - 2021
In celebration of Denis Law and his remarkable contribution to the world of sport and the city of Aberdeen, a number of fans and corporate sponsors commissioned a statue of The Lawman.
‘Legend’ was created by Alan Beattie Herriot and can be seen at Aberdeen Sports Village.
The iconic image below was the inspiration behind the statue which was unveiled by Sandy Busby, son of Sir Matt Busby, at Aberdeen Sports Village on July 20th 2012.
The ceremony was attended by Denis and his family along with his Manchester City team-mate and friend Mike Summerbee.
freedom of the city -2017
More than 15,000 people lined the streets of Aberdeen to greet Scotland legend Denis Law as he celebrated being granted the Freedom of the City in 2017. The former Manchester United striker led the annual Christmas lights switch-on parade following a conferral ceremony at the Beach Ballroom.
On the honour, Denis Law said: “I really didn’t expect the reception I got, I’m almost lost for words, it was just unbelievable.”
“The parade down Union Street was wonderful and to come out on the Town House balcony and get such a warm reception is something that will stay with me forever. I have always called Aberdeen home and this weekend has meant so much to me.”
“I’m looking forward to relaxing now and letting it all sink in, there has been so much going on and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.”
cbe award -2016
In the 2016 New Year Honours, Denis Law was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Buckingham Palace for his charity work as well as his sporting achievements.
Denis was recognised for his fundraising work with Denis Law Legacy Trust and its flagship Streetsport programme, Meningitis Now and Cancer Research UK.
On the honour, Law said "I just think this is the type of honour that goes to other people. You do not expect to get something like this. It's fantastic."
