Caoimhin O’Muraile ⚑ remembers Denis Law The King of The Stretford End – RIP.


On 17th January 2025 it was learned with much sadness of the death of one of football and Manchester United’s, all-time greats Denis Law. The one-time King of the Stretford End died aged 84 and will be remembered by all at Old Trafford and Broadhurst Park, home to FC United of Manchester. Before our game against Blyth Spartans on Saturday 18th January a minute’s silence was observed by FCUM and the crowd. At Old Trafford on Sunday 19th January before Man Utds game against Brighton and Hove Albion a round of applause was given in appreciation for the memory of ‘the King’ as Alex Ferguson carried the wreath to the centre circle. A lone piper led the teams out of the tunnel playing the Flower of Scotland to the applause of the fans, a truly emotional moment. 

I was lucky enough to have seen Denis along with George Best and Bobby Charlton play at Old Trafford and these three icons were and are known and remembered as ‘the Holy Trinity’. Statues to the three greats are outside Old Trafford behind the ‘Scoreboard End’ as fans laid wreaths and shirts in tribute to Denis. Even a Manchester City shirt was present as Denis had two short periods playing at Maine Road so on this occasion the presence of a Man City shirt was justified and allowed.

Denis was born on 24th February 1940 in the Scottish fishing town of Aberdeen and his career began in earnest at Huddersfield Town in 1955 making his debut on 24th December 1956 against Notts County under manager Bill Shankly. Shankly at first thought the bespectacled Denis a ‘freak’ because he had no build and wore glasses. This assessment was to prove well wide of the mark as the player's football magic began to show. Shankly later tried to take Law to Liverpool with him but they could not afford the transfer fee demanded by the ‘Terriers’. Matt Busby also made an early attempt to sign the ‘Law Man’ for Manchester United but the fee of £10,000 offered to the Leeds Road club was considered insufficient. In 1960 Manchester City signed Denis for £55,000, making his debut for City against Leeds United as the Blues went down 4-3, and one year later he was sold to Italian club, Torino, for £110,000. Denis and his friend from Edinboro club Hibernian, Joe Baker, went to Italy. In those days such a move was considered a pioneering experiment: John Charles of Leeds United had set the trend in 1957 when he joined Juventus. It was while in Italy Denis and Joe were involved in a car accident, Joe having taken the roundabout in the wrong direction. Neither man suffered major injuries. Denis never really took to Italy and the style of football played there, very defensive which for a striker is not good. Plus Torino had a performance related pay scheme, if they won the rewards were good but if they lost sometimes there would be no wages. This instability did not suit Denis and he would soon be on his way back to Manchester, this time to United where the glory days really began.

In 1962 Matt Busby finally got his man paying what was then a British club record fee of £115,000 for Denis bringing him to Old Trafford where he really made his name. He scored 237 goals in his eleven years at Man Utd and soon became known as ‘the King of the Stretford End’. Denis made his debut for Man Utd in August 1962 against West Bromwich Albion. Back in the 60s a song was a chart topper called ‘Lilly the Pink’ and United vocalists changed this to ‘Denis the King’; ‘We’ll drink and drink and drink to Denis the King the King the King, he’s the leader of our football team. He’s the greatest inside forward that the world has ever seen. We’ll drink and drink etc.' This song was years later modified to suit Eric Cantona but it was Denis’s song originally. 

Denis scored the opening goal in the 1963 FA Cup Final against Leicester City as United emerged 3-1 victors and therefore cup winners of that year. That was the first game played at an all-covered Wembley as the red army went barmy in celebration refusing to keep quiet for the British National Anthem then played after the game. From then on the anthem was and is played before the FA Cup Final and we have United’s travelling hordes to thank for that! Law also became in the sixties the master of the ‘scissor kick’ often called the ‘bicycle kick’ by some punters today. Denis could perform this fete regularly, called the ‘scissor kick’ because both legs were off the ground back to the goal replicating the blades of a pair of scissors. In more recent times Wayne Rooney performed such an act scoring against Man City but Denis Law did it regularly.

Denis soon became United’s captain and unfortunately missed out on the European Cup Final victory over Benfica in 1968 due to injury. Bobby Charlton, another of the ‘Holy Trinity’ assumed the captaincy that memorable evening as United destroyed Benfica. Denis was always susceptible to knee injuries and it was this which forced him to miss the Benfica game. In 1964 Denis Law won the Ballon d'Or making him the European footballer of the year, the only Scottish player to achieve this. Two years later Bobby Charlton lifted the same trophy in 1966, and in 1968 the fete was repeated by George Best, hence the ‘Holy Trinity’. A song was made up about Denis and could be heard, back in the day, along with 'Denis the King' and I always remember the imagination which must have gone into writing this chant from the terraces.

The son of a fisherman from Aberdeen, he played for his country when only eighteen, his football magic was a sight to see and he led Man United on to victory. Denis, Denis Law the King of the Football League. He left Torino in 63 (even though it was 62) Denis Law left Italy, he came to Old Trafford and became our King, and all around the Stretford End you heard us sing, Denis, Denis Law the King of the Football League (air Davy Crocket, King of the Wild Frontier). 

I wonder how many of today’s fans can recite this old anthem to Denis Law the King? 

Denis played for Scotland on 55 occasions scoring 30 goals for his country. There is a good pub trivia question; which player scored at Wembley for three different teams in the same season against the same goalkeeper? Answer, Denis Law against Gordon Banks. Law was chosen for the Rest of the World to play against England in the FAs Centenary year scoring against Banks in 1963. In the 1963 FA Cup Final he scored for United and once again Banks was in goal for Leicester. And in the same season he scored for Scotland against England at Wembley with Banks in goal again. Gordon Banks, a great keeper, must have been sick of the sight of Denis Law.

Denis, you were the King and the only monarch present at the 1963 FA Cup Final. Little wonder the fans would not respect an anthem to any other pretend monarch. Denis is Man United’s third all-time highest scorer after Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton, though the goals per game record belongs to Tommy Taylor who alas perished at Munich.

Denis Law 24th February 1940 – 17th January 2025 now reunited with Matt and the boys including the victims of the Munich tragedy. RIP Denis I’m just glad I had the privilege to have seen you play live along with Bobby and Georgie.

Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.

Denis Law

Caoimhin O’Muraile ⚑ remembers Denis Law The King of The Stretford End – RIP.


On 17th January 2025 it was learned with much sadness of the death of one of football and Manchester United’s, all-time greats Denis Law. The one-time King of the Stretford End died aged 84 and will be remembered by all at Old Trafford and Broadhurst Park, home to FC United of Manchester. Before our game against Blyth Spartans on Saturday 18th January a minute’s silence was observed by FCUM and the crowd. At Old Trafford on Sunday 19th January before Man Utds game against Brighton and Hove Albion a round of applause was given in appreciation for the memory of ‘the King’ as Alex Ferguson carried the wreath to the centre circle. A lone piper led the teams out of the tunnel playing the Flower of Scotland to the applause of the fans, a truly emotional moment. 

I was lucky enough to have seen Denis along with George Best and Bobby Charlton play at Old Trafford and these three icons were and are known and remembered as ‘the Holy Trinity’. Statues to the three greats are outside Old Trafford behind the ‘Scoreboard End’ as fans laid wreaths and shirts in tribute to Denis. Even a Manchester City shirt was present as Denis had two short periods playing at Maine Road so on this occasion the presence of a Man City shirt was justified and allowed.

Denis was born on 24th February 1940 in the Scottish fishing town of Aberdeen and his career began in earnest at Huddersfield Town in 1955 making his debut on 24th December 1956 against Notts County under manager Bill Shankly. Shankly at first thought the bespectacled Denis a ‘freak’ because he had no build and wore glasses. This assessment was to prove well wide of the mark as the player's football magic began to show. Shankly later tried to take Law to Liverpool with him but they could not afford the transfer fee demanded by the ‘Terriers’. Matt Busby also made an early attempt to sign the ‘Law Man’ for Manchester United but the fee of £10,000 offered to the Leeds Road club was considered insufficient. In 1960 Manchester City signed Denis for £55,000, making his debut for City against Leeds United as the Blues went down 4-3, and one year later he was sold to Italian club, Torino, for £110,000. Denis and his friend from Edinboro club Hibernian, Joe Baker, went to Italy. In those days such a move was considered a pioneering experiment: John Charles of Leeds United had set the trend in 1957 when he joined Juventus. It was while in Italy Denis and Joe were involved in a car accident, Joe having taken the roundabout in the wrong direction. Neither man suffered major injuries. Denis never really took to Italy and the style of football played there, very defensive which for a striker is not good. Plus Torino had a performance related pay scheme, if they won the rewards were good but if they lost sometimes there would be no wages. This instability did not suit Denis and he would soon be on his way back to Manchester, this time to United where the glory days really began.

In 1962 Matt Busby finally got his man paying what was then a British club record fee of £115,000 for Denis bringing him to Old Trafford where he really made his name. He scored 237 goals in his eleven years at Man Utd and soon became known as ‘the King of the Stretford End’. Denis made his debut for Man Utd in August 1962 against West Bromwich Albion. Back in the 60s a song was a chart topper called ‘Lilly the Pink’ and United vocalists changed this to ‘Denis the King’; ‘We’ll drink and drink and drink to Denis the King the King the King, he’s the leader of our football team. He’s the greatest inside forward that the world has ever seen. We’ll drink and drink etc.' This song was years later modified to suit Eric Cantona but it was Denis’s song originally. 

Denis scored the opening goal in the 1963 FA Cup Final against Leicester City as United emerged 3-1 victors and therefore cup winners of that year. That was the first game played at an all-covered Wembley as the red army went barmy in celebration refusing to keep quiet for the British National Anthem then played after the game. From then on the anthem was and is played before the FA Cup Final and we have United’s travelling hordes to thank for that! Law also became in the sixties the master of the ‘scissor kick’ often called the ‘bicycle kick’ by some punters today. Denis could perform this fete regularly, called the ‘scissor kick’ because both legs were off the ground back to the goal replicating the blades of a pair of scissors. In more recent times Wayne Rooney performed such an act scoring against Man City but Denis Law did it regularly.

Denis soon became United’s captain and unfortunately missed out on the European Cup Final victory over Benfica in 1968 due to injury. Bobby Charlton, another of the ‘Holy Trinity’ assumed the captaincy that memorable evening as United destroyed Benfica. Denis was always susceptible to knee injuries and it was this which forced him to miss the Benfica game. In 1964 Denis Law won the Ballon d'Or making him the European footballer of the year, the only Scottish player to achieve this. Two years later Bobby Charlton lifted the same trophy in 1966, and in 1968 the fete was repeated by George Best, hence the ‘Holy Trinity’. A song was made up about Denis and could be heard, back in the day, along with 'Denis the King' and I always remember the imagination which must have gone into writing this chant from the terraces.

The son of a fisherman from Aberdeen, he played for his country when only eighteen, his football magic was a sight to see and he led Man United on to victory. Denis, Denis Law the King of the Football League. He left Torino in 63 (even though it was 62) Denis Law left Italy, he came to Old Trafford and became our King, and all around the Stretford End you heard us sing, Denis, Denis Law the King of the Football League (air Davy Crocket, King of the Wild Frontier). 

I wonder how many of today’s fans can recite this old anthem to Denis Law the King? 

Denis played for Scotland on 55 occasions scoring 30 goals for his country. There is a good pub trivia question; which player scored at Wembley for three different teams in the same season against the same goalkeeper? Answer, Denis Law against Gordon Banks. Law was chosen for the Rest of the World to play against England in the FAs Centenary year scoring against Banks in 1963. In the 1963 FA Cup Final he scored for United and once again Banks was in goal for Leicester. And in the same season he scored for Scotland against England at Wembley with Banks in goal again. Gordon Banks, a great keeper, must have been sick of the sight of Denis Law.

Denis, you were the King and the only monarch present at the 1963 FA Cup Final. Little wonder the fans would not respect an anthem to any other pretend monarch. Denis is Man United’s third all-time highest scorer after Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton, though the goals per game record belongs to Tommy Taylor who alas perished at Munich.

Denis Law 24th February 1940 – 17th January 2025 now reunited with Matt and the boys including the victims of the Munich tragedy. RIP Denis I’m just glad I had the privilege to have seen you play live along with Bobby and Georgie.

Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.

11 comments:

  1. Great player - best goal he ever scored was the back heel flick against rivals Utd which saw them drop into the second division!!!
    Good stuff Caoimhin.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Had the back heel goal not happened , M U would still of been relegated ! Still confident the Reds will land one or both big trophies this season ? Reckon they will take the P L ; C L could provide a tricky tie in the last 16 .

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  3. Yeah, great player.

    Only guy ever to play for Shankly, Busby and Jock Stein, which is the answer to another trivia question for fans d'un certain age.

    Always enjoy the passion in your football writings, Caoimhin.

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  4. RIP Denis. One of the very best. How Scotland would need his like today.

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  5. Shout out to another great departed football man from the Blue side of Manchester - Tony Book Captain and Manager of the great City team of the 60s and 70s who died aged 90.

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    Replies
    1. Barry - didn't even know Tony Book had died. As a youngster I adored him. Eternal Dreamless Sleep to Tony Book.

      Delete
    2. Agreed Barry, Tony Book was a great defender and went on to manage City. We had an old song; "That old man, Tony Book, canhe play football can he fuck, with a knick, Knack Paddy Wack give a dog a bone why don't City fuck off home". A City great and the songs of the day were in jest, City had their chants about us at United, particularly regards Tommy Doc and Mary Briwn. Tony Book, Kippax icon RIP.

      Delete
  6. He was a late developer, joining City at 30 through the good offices of Malcolm Allison.

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    Replies
    1. He'd already developed and peaked at Old Trafford Barry. All the fame came through the "good offices" of Matt Busby, not the cowboy ranch of Buffallo Mal! Alison was a joke, nothing without Joe Mercer, ask any Palace fan, and all Denis Laws glorys came at Old Trafford under Matt Busby.

      Caoimhin O'Muraile

      Delete
    2. Caoimhin - think Barry was referring to Tony Book.

      Delete
  7. Alex Stepney was suppossed to pick that ball up in 1974. Remember the game well. We invaded the pitch that day, objective to get th game abandoned. Denis did not calebtate, he hoped Alex would catch the ball. Not one genuine Red held any annimosity.towards the King of the Stretford End. We went to Stoke on the following Monday and lost, tjat was a different story. Denis did not put us down, he bloody crie and walked off that day we put ourselves down nack in 74.

    Caoimhin O'Muraille

    ReplyDelete