The Lawman dies- Denis Law dies

 The Lawman dies- Denis Law dies.

Last week, Manchester United lost one of its last links with the Holy Trinity of Best, Law and Charlton. Pat Crerand and Alex Stepney remain one of the last survivors of that unforgettable night at the old Wembley Stadium when United ground down the great Benfica side of Eusebio and eventually outclassed the Portuguese giants with a masterly 4-1 win that brought the European Cup to England for the first time after Celtic had won the same competition a year earlier.

Denis Law was undoubtedly one of the deadliest and liveliest strikers in modern football and along with the likes of Best and Charlton, could turn a match on its head with a match winning goal of the most classical quality. Law was always in the right time and the right place and could study the geography of a football pitch in a way that few could. In fact there was an internal map in Law's mind that would take him straight to the heart of the six yard box in a crowded penalty area. 

But the lasting image of Law would be that of the deeply emotional and upsetting moment when Law, playing for neighbours Manchester City, scored the vital goal which sent his former club United down to the old Second Division. In front of a feverish Old Trafford on a bright spring day, Law, positioned perfectly for a cut back across the ailing United defence, back heeled the ball almost insolently past Alex Stepney and United had been relegated from the top flight in a matter of seconds. 

Law was heartbroken and distraught and his mixed feelings could be seen almost immediately. Law lifted his arm almost grudgingly as if in a state of private mourning. In fact the raised arm salute would become Law's distinctive trademark but now the Lawman was in a genuine state of anguish. For years, Denis Law had become one of the most identifiable figures in a red United shirt, blond hair bouncing around his neck, long sleeved shirt never turned up and hands firmly clenched together on dark wintry evenings. 

Only the ever perceptive Bill Shankly could have unearthed this natural centre forward. Law had served his apprenticeship at Huddersfield and even as a willowy thin 15 year old, it was obvious where the young Scotsman was going- to the very top of his profession. The goals began to flood into the back of the net and such was his princely grandeur as a player and his clinical touch in front of goal that it only seemed a matter of time before the likes of Manchester United came hunting for this classy striker. 

In 1967 though, after the most horrendous famine at United, the club finally came up trumps with their first League Championship trophy- the old First Division, since the beginning of time.  It had seemed an eternity since their last triumph at the end of a gruelling League season but it was better late than never. In that same year and summer, Law drew a sadistic delight in scoring for Scotland in the famous Home International match against England at the old Wembley. Scotland beat England and the school of thought at the time was that the Scots had won perfect revenge for England's World Cup winning exploits a year earlier. Retribution may have been sweet but for Denis Law this meant the world to him. 

And then ironically there was the European Cup Final victory against Benfica which, sadly, Law missed through injury but the marker had been set. Here was a powerful, hungry forward who loved to go shoulder to shoulder with his defender, running directly at him and then leaving his opponent gasping for air. Law had an innate strength both of character and physique, ghosting past players effortlessly and stealthily as if they weren't there. 

When his appetite for British football had dwindled beyond recognition, Law decided to up sticks and move to Italy with Serie A Torino. Here the Scottish stick of dynamite excelled for a while and the usually conservative Italians could hardly believe what they were watching. Law scored goals for fun and that was his forte. His relationship with the Italian fans became both affectionate and moving.

By the 1980s Law had retired from the game he so treasured, becoming a cheerful TV pundit, a profound analyst of the game's mechanics and never afraid to express an opinion when he felt it was merited. Then the after dinner speaking circuit beckoned and the United legend had now felt entitled to both criticise and praise as and when appropriate. 

Now though old age had begun to wither him and in recent years dementia and a heart condition began to take their toll. In recent years he began to look tragically haggard and drawn, one of the regrettable symptoms of both medical conditions. On reflection though the Scotsman, who played for his country with a notable distinction but probably too late on his career, now stood as judge and jury. Football had been good for Denis Law and to those who were honoured to be in his presence, the memories would always be there for both his family, children and grandchildren. We will miss you deeply Denis Law of that there can be no question.