The Birmingham pub bombings happened 50 years ago today. Britain’s biggest unsolved mass murder.
It’s about time there was justice.
Never forget.
#J4T21#Justice4The21@Justice4the21
I won’t ever have a bad word said about Deano, stabilised us, got us promoted, kept us up and then stepped aside gracefully when a new direction was needed. Made us all fall in love with Villa again 🤝
Dear Gaz
I wanted to play football because of you.
I love Villa because of you.
When I was 11 I asked my Mom if I could have a blonde wedge because of you( 😂). Her wry "I don't think we can do that, Son" will stay with me as one of my abiding memories of her, too.
You were a real life superhero. "🎶When he gets the ball he's bound to score🎶!!" I'd sing at home, in the the Holte, whenever you were on telly.
At junior school our school team wore black and white stripes, no numbers on the back, just a little printed red number on the sleeve. The first time I got "called up" there was only one number I wanted. 8. Because of you.
I wish I'd have done more over the years to befriend you, you know. I so wish I'd have been able to elaborate why you were and are so special and to tell you that so much more often than I did.
It's hard to put into words how grateful I am to have latched onto the magic you gave. That kit, those goals, that partnership, that team, those 2 magical seasons.
Champions of England.
Champions of Europe.
With you front and centre. Living the dream of Villa fans everywhere, what a feeling, what a ride!
I saw you last, fittingly at Villa Park, and finally after 40 years, you signed my shirt which I'll cherish.
To Gary's family, friends and Class of 82', the love, gratitude and thanks from my family to you is from the bottom of our heart.
And to you, ledge, thank you. You made a little boy dream big, fall in love with you, our club and the beautiful game. You were my hero on the pitch but most importantly my hero off it. The loveliest of men.
Rest in peace, ledge.
All of my heroes are Villans.
Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away.
Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.
He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.
“This is it, this is happening”
Tickets on sale this Saturday 31st August (🇮🇪8AM IST / 🇬🇧9AM BST)
Dates:
Cardiff Principality Stadium - 4th/5th July
Manchester Heaton Park - 11th/12th/19th/20th July
London Wembley Stadium - 25th/26th July & 2nd/3rd August
Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium - 8th/9th August
Dublin Croke Park - 16th/17th August