Clare Birch

[Royal British Legion @PoppyLegion]

We invite you to join us at our Fields of Remembrance and take a moment to remember those who have served over the years, or reflect in memory of a loved one.

Visit our website to find out more: https://t.co/rnDDCMwBW4

[Royal British Legion @PoppyLegion]

Today marks 80 years since the end of Operation Market Garden, one of the largest airborne operations in history.

Join us in remembering the determination and courage shown by Allied airborne troops and the units that tried to reach them.

[imran Ⓜ @M7RNI]

#avfc #ChampionsLeague 😍

[Aston Villa @AVFCOfficial]

🤫

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Gary Shaw – a tribute. Shaw, who has passed away aged 63, played the game the way it should be played. The Aston Villa attacker played with flair, an unquenchable hunger for goals, commitment to team and loyalty to club. He played to win, conquering England in 1981 and Europe in 1982, and he did it in style. Shaw’s finishing was not only about the quantity, 79 goals in 213 games for the Villa, but also the quality.

Shaw was fleet of mind and body, able to sense the best positions to glide into, whether holding his run to the edge of the area for a cutback and strike with either foot or darting to the near-post for a poacher’s finish with head or foot. He could stun a ball speeding in, flick it up, juggle it and volley it in, all under pressure from a merciless centre-half and on pitches that sometimes looked more suited to ploughing than pillaging goals.

And he scored vital goals. It feels like only yesterday, rather than 42 years ago, that Shaw was dribbling through Dinamo Kyiv’s defence and scoring with a low left-footed shot from the tightest of angles at Villa Park in 1982. It was not only a brilliant strike but hugely significant in Villa’s run to European glory.

So many fine finishes: running on to Dennis Mortimer’s through pass and driving the ball through Jim Platt’s legs at Middlesbrough in 1980; and gambling on a David Geddis flicked shot coming back off the post, falling to his right, connecting with his left in 1980 at Villa Park in the 3-0 Derby win over Blues – that athleticism and positioning again.

Shaw could link and create and finish, famously against Nottingham Forest in 1981, dropping deep and taking the ball from Morley, loaning it to Geddis, then giving it to Mortimer in the centre-circle and ghosting into the area. Kenny Swain, released by Mortimer, crossed low and hard from the right, Shaw timed his run to perfection, meeting it first time. A bad knee injury in 1983 lessened his impact but his mind was still sharp, taking him into the right positions. When Paul Rideout nodded down against West Brom in 1984, Shaw pounced.

For Villa fans, he was “one of our own”. For the rest of us admiring from afar, Shaw was a Boy’s Own hero, prolific and photogenic, the PFA Young Player of the Year, then European Young Footballer of the Year. Shaw would be worth a fortune in the modern era. His versatility would be highly prized. He could play as a second striker, centre-forward, even wide.

His partnership with Peter Withe was the proverbial rapier and broadsword, silk and steel. They cut a swathe through opposition defences. The photo of Shaw and Withe holding the 1982 European Cup above Morley and placing it on his head remains an iconic image and embodied Villa’s attacking approach. That year, Shaw made the 40-strong long-list for the World Cup but was eventually overlooked by Ron Greenwood. He ended up with just Under-21 caps, and only seven of them, crazy really, given his calibre.

Shaw’s impact felt even more uplifting because it was a counterpoint to the mood of the country at the time. With the dark clouds of unemployment, strikes and bombs in London parks scurrying across the landscape, a glamourous footballer who scored fabulous goals brought hope as well as joy.

Villa have lost a legend and English football has lost a player who lit up the 80s. His family have lost someone very special. Shaw was a very likeable and down-to-earth human being even to those of us who only encountered him briefly in the Villa Park press room. Just a really approachable guy. My thoughts with Gary Shaw’s family, friends and former team-mates. RIP.

[Aston Villa @AVFCOfficial]

Instant classic.

UP THE VILLA! 💜

[The Prince and Princess of Wales @KensingtonRoyal]

👀 #UTV. W

[𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗩𝗙𝗖 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹 | 𝕏 @theavfcfaithful]

“Form is temporary boys and girls but class… that is permanent and you know what? We have class” 💜

[Aston Villa @AVFCOfficial]

Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of legendary writer and poet, Benjamin Zephaniah.

Named as one of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008, Benjamin was a lifelong Aston Villa fan and had served as an ambassador for the @AVFCFoundation.

The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this time.

[Royal British Legion @PoppyLegion]

The Royal British Legion’s 2023 #PoppyAppeal launches today with our new plastic-free poppy ♻️

Made entirely from paper, the plastic-free poppy is available alongside stock of the existing poppy to reduce waste. 1/2

[Clare Birch @MH02JCH]

@HeartOfTheHolte Absolutely beautiful, well done Lucy! Well done Villa and @TyroneMings.

[Clare Birch @MH02JCH]

@PoppyLegion @britishmemorial Many Happy Birthday wishes, thank you for your service 🙏

[Leonie Elliott @Leonie_Elliott]

Some have asked about Lucille’s journey this season, I guess this is what I hope we hold onto…

Episode 2 tonight

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

It's Suicide Prevention Day. Unprecedented times for many struggling.

Years ago I had a rope around my neck thinking "I'm done".

I wasn't, by talking, working and exercise, I'm fine.

Pls talk, it starts a positive process. Guaranteed.

Start here 👉🏽 https://t.co/2jWejiPYD4 ❤️

[Paula Smith @palsmiff]

@JaneyGodley please could you RT for this young boy. They are trying to raise funds for life saving treatment. Thank you
Brad's Brain Battle https://t.co/JVRmHWpmpE

[talkSPORT @talkSPORT]

“He’s a spokesperson for racism and an advocate for mental health as well.”

“He’s experienced both and uses his position in football to help other people,”

@Laura_Woodsy defends Tyrone Mings after criticism from Graeme Souness.

[Aston Villa News @AVFC_News]

This is a MUST watch from @PreeceObserver

The Pig 'N' Whistle in Brisbane is lively... 😍😍 #avfc

[Ian Taylor(Only one😁) @IanTaylor7]

Get a bracelet like mine to support a local charity doing great things for families affected by cancer ⁦@harry_moseley⁩ Get your bracelet from https://t.co/BmdpOjx2uB in any team colours to donate to a great cause in memory of an amazing young man. #hhho 🙏🏾🟣🔵🟣🔵🟣🔵🟣

[England Cricket @englandcricket]

Hold your head high, Jamie.

A sensational innings and a record-breaking partnership when we needed it most.

Those three runs don’t change any of that.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿

[Armed Forces Day 🇬🇧 @ArmedForcesDay]

The iconic billboards of Piccadilly Circus have been taken over on #ArmedForcesDay to broadcast messages of thanks from the nation to our Armed Forces. 👏 📸