Happy Birthday Denis Law!
February 24th marks the birthday of one of Aberdeen’s favourite sons, Scotland’s greatest footballer and Denis Law Legacy Trust’s patron and namesake, Denis Law!
Nicknamed “The King” and “The Lawman” by supporters, his achievements on the football pitch are many; 30 goals in only 55 appearances for Scotland and he is still Scotland’s top goalscorer, alongside Sir Kenny Dalgleish. The Lawman also represented Scotland at the 1974 World Cup and was selected to play for The Rest of The World Team against England in 1963.
His club career was equally remarkable, he spent eleven years playing for Manchester United scoring a stellar 237 goals in 404 appearances. His 46 goals in the 1964/65 season is a Manchester United club record and he ended that season as the first-division’s top goal scorer.
Most notably, Denis is the only Scottish football player to ever win the coveted FIFA Ballon d’Or, which he won in 1964.
Outside of football, Denis has utilised his popularity as a force for good, having been commended for his fundraising work with both Cancer Research and Meningitis Now.
Now, of course, he has made a positive impact through Denis Law Legacy Trust. The charity’s Streetsport programme, ran in partnership with Robert Gordon University, provides week-nightly, free to access sport and creative activity to young people across Aberdeen. The programme has seen over 134,000 participants since its launch and has won several awards for its positive impact.
Denis has been awarded a CBE, the freedom of Aberdeen city plus honorary degrees from St Andrews, the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University for his dedication to good causes and his glittering football career. Not to forget his “Legend” statue in the heart of Aberdeen that will inspire young people for years to come!
From all of us at Denis Law Legacy Trust, here’s to The Lawman… Happy Birthday!
