Mat Kendrick's emotional tribute to Villa legend Gary Shaw 

To those fans who never saw him play, he was our Jack Grealish of the 80s. He was a great finisher in front of goal. He could also pass a through ball better than anyone I've ever seen, his weight of pass was perfection. Watch Tony Morley's goal against Everton and his pass to Morley to set up Peter Withe's goal to win the European Cup. A true Villa legend and will be one of our own forever. RIP Gary Shaw HEITS

RIP Gary Shaw - the ultimate "One of our Own"....

I am a West Ham fan. Very sad news about Gary Shaw. I was 12 remember the great villa side of that time. What a player Gary was . My condolences to his family and friends R.I.P Gary.

I'm sure he's broken many a heart in his time - today he broke mine. Rest In Peace Gary. Very moving tribute Matt, thank you.

I am a Liverpool supporter but Villa are my second team and Gaz was one of my first footballing heroes. I couldn't care less if more tributes are more erudite. That was beautiful. It was from the heart. RIP Gaz. God bless. XXX

Everton fan, Gary Shaw wasn't just a villa legend,all fans loved him ,him and withe were brilliant together,rip

As a Leeds Utd fan, I am shocked by this very sad news of this humble and very polite footballer. RIP Gary, you were a legend.

As a kid, Gary burst onto the scene as I was sort of 9. In one East London school, where in the playground other kids would be Graham Rix, Liam Brady, Glenn Hoddle, I would be Gary Shaw. Always. Devastating news. RIP Gary ❤ My heartfelt condolences to his family at this sad time

As a Liverpool fan I was about 10 when villa won the European Cup & Shaw stood out, not only because of that distinctive blond wedge hair cut, & for gripping the end of his long sleeved shirt sleeves but for being a very graceful & skilled striker. He formed a great partnership with Peter Withe & it’s good to hear that he was a humble nice guy! RIP Gary Shaw☮️💟

"....When he get's the ball, he's bound to score! Gary, Gary Shaw!"

I'm a Man City fan. Remember listening to the European Cup Final with my friends. And us all cheering Villa on, like they were our club. It is a great memory of a great team. Just sometimes the game is more important than who you support. Gary Shaw was a great player. R.I.P

The lad we ALL wanted to be, growing up in his era. An icon.

I am a Manchester United supporter but I remember that great period for Villa very well and it was in a different era when people supported some other English sides, when they played in Europe. You are immortal Gary and will never be forgotten. RIP. 💗💙

As an old Villain in Brasil,this one has hit me hard.What a player and a gentleman.

I'm only a couple of years younger than Gary, I idolised him and he didn't disappoint on the couple of occasions I met him. Rest in peace Gary.

“You did it, Gaz.” - Great quote. Someone get this on a banner.

This One Hits Really Hard, Not Only A True Villa Legend But One Of Our Own One Of Us Who Lived Every Villa Fans Dream Of Playing For Their Boyhood Club! REST EASY GARY *HEITS* 💜

Better than I could have done matt kendrick. You've done me in there mate. RIP Gary Shaw

I never had the pleasure of seeing him play myself but heard enough about him from older Villa fans to know he was one of our own, special and a true Club legend. I'm sad he won't be at our Champions League games, especially Bayern Munich, but legends never die, there will always be a part of him at Villa Park. Great tribute by Mat ❤

I'm nearly 54 and a Villa fan because of Gary Shaw. Thank you and go well. VTID

Followed Villa since the late 60's. Gary was the best finisher I ever saw and I've seen them all. Gutted when his knee gave up and devastated at his passing. RIP legend.

I'm a lifelong Villa fan, and I was fortunate to have watched him play many times, I met him on more than one occasion growing up in Aston in the 80's/90's - a lovely guy, a true gentleman and a great footballer. RIP Gary Shaw 💜💙

Gary Shaw was my hero growing up I'm so honoured to have seen him play he was simply the best great tribute Mat RIP HEITS Gary

His sort will never be seen again . True legend . A true Holteender in the sky . REST IN PEACE . The Villa family will miss you UTV

In those years...1982....as a Belgian boy watching Villa at Anderlecht in the semis ..I was immediately hooked on his graceful style of play...his partnership with Withe....became a Villa fan there and then....never forgot that night. Thx Gaz....RIP ❤

Met him in the early 90s at libertys hagley road Xmas party ,spoke to him for a couple of hours ,he was a awesome a true gentleman ,rip xx

Condolences to all Gary shaw family friends and the Villa fans . From Everton fans RIP what a player class

That is a very fitting tribute, I share the emotion I can hear in your voice. He was my hero, just a couple of years older than me I watched him many times in the 80’s. Well done Matt

RIP Gary Shaw - 'Gary Shaw, Gary Shaw, Gary Gary Shaw. When he's got the ball he's bound to score-Gary Gary Shaw! '

Beautiful tribute for a Villa legend. Rest in peace lovely man.

What a lovely Tribute. Thanks for the Joy Gary. RIP 🩷🩵🩷🩵

Quality audio Matt. You have summed up how all us Villa Fans feels. Done him proud.

Biiig Painful loss....One of early Villa Heroes...What a player......massive miss always love and remember this guy...RIP

RIP to a great talent and man.

God bless him, great player for Villa, remember him well.. Rest in Peace from an old Leeds fan MOT.🙏

Very moving tribute Matt, Gary ,Gary, shaw , when he hits the ball he’s bound to score , Gary , Gary, shaw. I was a teenage holtender on the terracing, no seats back in the start of the eighties,watching this one of our own goal scoring hero. Competing against the best. Along side Withe and Geddes. Taking us to the heights of winning the league, European cup, super cup. What a time that was to be a villa fan. Watching a young striker hitting the net , living a boyhood dream, playing for his beloved Aston Villa. Loved by all . Sadly knee injuries caught up with him to early in his career. Today is a sad day , thanks for the great memories Gary. RIP Holtender in the sky.

Great player , great man. I'm only 42,so never got to see him, in the flesh. But some of my older mates, absolutely luved him, and speak of how good he was. Rip Gary Shaw, villa legend.

Well done Mat. You almost got through it without me hearing your tears in your voice. Now you've bloody set me off again. I've been sobbing most of this afternoon 😢 A special Villa legend. We'll never forget you Gaz. RIP 🙏🏻 HEITS 😇

What a player never will be forgot R.I.P Gary Shaw and thank you

A lovely tribute to a genuine Villa legend. Well done Mat. Condolences to Gary Shaw’s family

SO SAD R.I.P. GARY SHAW GREAT STRIKER VILLA LEGEND

lovely words matt. you obviously developed a close relationship with him. he sounded like a nice fella and will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all associated with the club.

Firstly, a wonderful and fitting tribute Mat. Thank you. Not easy doing that mate, but you’ve done him proud. I was too young to remember Gary’s playing career unfortunately but was fortunate enough to meet him or listen to him in person at a couple of Villa related events. Only a couple of weeks ago I attended the West Ham screening at Villa Park and Gary was a speaker at the event. Such a wonderful man and he still had that aura about him, where fans are star struck when he enters the room. RIP Gary, gone too soon but never forgotten. HEITS.

Gaz & Maradonna having a pint in heaven. A wonderful tribute Matt. RIP Gaz, a Villa legend

Mat, I'm in bits after listening to this. He was, and always will be, one of my favourite players in all my years as a Villa fan since 1966. Thank you for your heartfelt tribute.

Loved his play. Loved his quiet modesty and loved his broad Brummie accent. RIP Gary. Such memories for those, like me, who saw Gary play. So sad. Holte Ender in the Sky. RIP.

Absolutely stunning tribute. Bravo, Matt and sleep well, Gary Shaw.

RIP Aston Villa legend. Thank you for all the pleasure you gave us Villa fans. A truly wonderful player and man. Holte ender in the sky ❤💜💙⚽️

Had my first season tkt in 1981 & Gary Shaw was a class player 👏 & has gone down in history as a Villa Legend 🙌 RIP thanks for the memories 🙏 ❤️

Fantastic piece by Mat. Gary Shaw an absolute icon, I'm too young to have seen him play. Thankfully I've watched clips and games where you could clearly see his brilliance. Poetic in some way that back on the biggest stage the club he loved got a win in dedication to him. RIP Gary Shaw. Holteender in the sky 💜💙

My Dad loved him as a player. Both can have a chat now as holte enders in the sky. R.I.P Gary Shaw, forever a club legend & a lovely man 💜💙✌🏻

I was lucky enough to go to school with gary , kingshurst comprehensive with mr Hughes and mr dyche the PE teachers where gary used to open the batting for the teachers cricket team, he played all sports, being a mad villa fan myself i remember going to his first full game WBA away 1978-79 season i think he had come on as sub in a couple of game's before that , i have always had a soft spot for gary and told everyone about him , he was one our own a mad villa fan that played infront of the holte end , i also remember going to the macadown pub to see him do a talk with Brian clough on wm radio, i am absolutely gutted, some of thebest away days in the late 70s and early 80s are my favourite times A true holte ender in the sky , RIP gary and UTV

Im so so sorry, he is a villa legend, and so very much loved for so much more 😢 we will never ever forget him ❤💜💙 rip lovely man

Well done Mat - beautifully delivered and written.

Absolutely brilliant Matt a fitting tribute to a legend

A great tribute to an exceptional talent from my youth, and as a lifelong Villa fan he will live long in the memory from the glory days of European Cup Winners. A true lengend. RIP Gary ❤

Beautiful Mat. Well done. Perfect tribute to Gary.

Great talent ...he with Morley my first two football heroes...sad day, RIP

I’m not crying. You’re crying! God Bless. Brilliantly done Matt 🤗

My paternal family were Blues supporters- my grandad used to go to the matches back in the 30’s to the 70’s. However when Gary first came on the ‘scene’ we all said what a great player - as you say the first Jack Grealish I used to watch him play on TV back at his height I know he had to retire too early due to injury OH MY died way too young after a fall only 63 just 3 years older than myself 😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏RIP Gary

Thanks for that lovely tribute, Mat, to one of our greatest players. It was a joy and privilege to watch him play.

My mom reminded me I made him a cheese and onion sandwich at age 9 when he visited our house he was my idol from that day r.i.p Gary.

Such a fitting tribute Matt. I loved watching him play. Such a truly gifted player. I would put him in the same mould as Trevor Francis, with not one ounce of arrogance. I have a message for all young players not yet making it into the big time, that is, Live your life just like Gary. Such a special player, but more importantly, a true gentleman. I know he will be so sorely missed by every supporter of football. He needs a gold statue at Villa Park, to resemble the golden boy he was. RIP Gary. A true, true legend of our beloved club.

A sad, sad day for everyone associated with Aston Villa. When I heard the news this afternoon it felt like a part of me died too. Gary Shaw is and will always remain, a true Villa hero!

Wonderful Mat - your finest piece of writing and so fitting that it's in tribute to our irreplaceable golden boy. Rest In Peace, Gary.

Wonderful tribute Mat. I was lucky enough to see him on the pitch. One of own chant was definitely made for him Now who is chopping onions

Blues fan here , rivalry goes out the window at times like this .A legend for not only you lot but respected throughout football RIP

Totally gutted. True legend. Your name will never be forgotten. Thank you for making my Saturday afternoons special. God bless Mr Gary Shaw. RIP

RIP Gary. A true Villa legend🙏

Thank you for this Matt. Beautifully done. Been in tears many times since the news was shared. Devastated. My first hero. Way too young. Lovely comments from fans of other clubs, nice to see. We appreciate it. HEITS 💜💙

Gary was from my time as a boy.legend ☘️

He was a part of one of the best villa teams the early 80s glory days , extremely sad to hear of Gary's passing ...RIP GARY SHAW 👏👏👏.

A wonderful tribute by Mat. I am devastated today. He was two years older than me and while he was gracing the hallowed turf of Villa Park, I was one of the thousands in the Holte End with the privilege of watching him. Last year I not only got to meet him in person at the North American Lions Club annual meet up in Seattle, but I was able to sit down and have a personal chat with him about his career, my memories of him playing and also about my local where I lived as he had been known to frequent it on occasions. A naturally gifted footballer who was a joy to watch but also a lovely, approachable and friendly guy who had time for everyone. Heartbroken 💔💜💙 RIP Gary HEITS.

Fabulous tribute , RIP Gary Shaw 🙏

Fair play to you Mat for recording that tribute, couldn't have been easy as I can tell from your voice near towards the end, you did Gary and the rest of us Villa fans proud! 👏🏾 R.I.P. to a real club legend! 🙏🏾 🕊️ HEITS 🦁 💜 🩵

Gary Shaw was my football hero I first saw him play in 1981 in the championship season and many times after in my young teens,I met him first at Ron Saunders soccer school in 1982 and he was fantastic with me a budding striker and all the kids there with me. I saw him again in 1993 when I was collecting my ticket to the deportivo game in the North Stand car park. I wasn’t sure it was him so greeted him saying you look just like Gary Shaw and he laughed and spent time talking to me about what he was doing and the up coming game. He was a fantastic player and such a personable chap and I have shed a tear today on hearing the news. I will be very sad at the Bayern game at Villa park but I’m sure we will give him a memorable tribute. Up the Villa and R.I.P to my hero

I met Gary once before a game at villa park in one of the bars, i was like a big kid when i saw him walk past me, i plucked up the courage to go and ask him if i could have a photo with him, "of course you can son" and he pulled me in for the photo, brilliant experience ❤ RIP Gary ❤

Always a smile on his face. We all loved him cos he was a true Villain and a Brummy. 😢. Condolences to his family n friends. I am 65 years old so remember seeing Gary playing many times. Including in Rotterdam 1982. He was one of ours. A true Brummy. 😢❤

Lovely. Well done, Matt, a beautiful tribute. Let's get a statue up for a local lad who lived the dream and accomplished it all. His memory will be eternal.

Lovely tribute RIP Gary Shaw ❤❤

Class Mat. You made me cry ya git! I met him as a 9yr old and fell in love with Aston Villa from there. I can’t believe he’s gone and Saturday will be tough. UTV

Seeing all the tributes from none villa fans is brilliant what a man, HEITS

Sad day I played football with Gary shaw for coleshill town in the seventies. He then went on to play for the villa so I always followed his career through out his life. I watched him in Rotterdam in 1982. Also watching him at Highbury when we won the league and throughout his career. I think I always wanted to be a gary shaw ? playing for my boyhood club. RIP Holtender in the sky. You left us way to early.❤

R.I.P GARY SHAW a proper aston villa legend you will missed by every villa fan UTV HOLTE ENDER IN THE SKY

Very touching.great player

Lovely words, Mat 💔

Thank you Mat. Just totally upset that one of my childhood heroes has gone. Thank you for bringing those great times to our club. Rest in peace Gary. HEITS.

Great tribute Matt. RIP Gary, a special player in the 1980s!

I was so lucky to witness Gary in his prime and that great Villa team. Matt that was an amazing tribute bought a tear or two, to a 61 year old man eyes. HEITS gone too soon. UTV

Fantastically put!. A fitting tribute to one of our own, a villa legend. Lucky to have seen him play back in the day. Remember him in with the Villa fans at the 94 league cup final, just a villa fan, just one of us. It’s so sad when we lose a part of the Villa family. R.I.P Gary. HEITS.

Beautiful Matt, very moving. HEITS

Absolutely incredible Matt! You did him proud!

Im a gooner,but Gary Shaw was part of teenage years, really sad news,RIP 😥

You don’t have to be a villa fan to feel this loss to football. Great words for a great player.

A truly great Aston Villa player. An integral part of Villa's glory in 1981 1982 etc. Quality player. I am so sad at his passing and will never forget his contribution to Villa. Sincere condolences to his relatives and all who knew him. RIP Villan Gary Shaw

Wow... a fitting tribute for a villa legend. Thanks Mat !!!!

Lovely words Mat, thank you. RIP Gary.

Such a terrible thing to happen. Wonderful piece Mat - gut wrenching. RIP Gary - HEITS 😢

Unbelievable player I’m glad I saw him play at his peak in that team R.I.P Gary UTV 💜💙

A beautiful tribute to gary shaw, the quietest legend to grace the hallowed turf of villa park. HEITS UTV RIP✝️✝️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿