Tearful mourners have gathered at Denis Law’s statue in Aberdeen as they pay tribute to Scotland’s “best ever” footballer.
Scarves, flowers and wreaths have all been placed at the base of the statue on Marischal Square.
Born in Aberdeen, Law lifted two league titles with Manchester United and was the only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d’Or.
With two separate statues in the city, he is often regarded as Granite City royalty – and was handed the freedom of the city in 2017.
His death at the age of 84 following a battle with dementia was announced on Friday night.
On Saturday, large crowds gathered in front of his statue at Marischal Square, where visitors told The Press and Journal what Law meant to them.
Jim Glendinning, 71, said he was devastated by the news – and made the trip to Aberdeen from his home in Kirriemuir, Angus, to pay his respects.
He followed Law’s career from his first Scotland cap at the age of 16, and considers the former striker one of his idols.
Holding back tears, he said: “He meant everything to me.
“He could score goals from anywhere and he was such a good person.
Fan remembers ‘best ever’ player Denis Law
“I’m originally from Glasgow and I first saw him about 45 or 50 years ago, I remember his first cap.”
He also considers the Aberdonian to be “the best ever”.
He added: “He was electric on the pitch.
“He used to stand in the six-yard box and whenever the goalkeeper made a mistake he’d always be there, with a flash.
“It was all through natural ability – he had it in droves. He was only 16 when he got his first cap, it’s rare to see that.
“He is the best ever.
“I knew he was ill, everyone knew but you just don’t expect to get news like that.
“He was 84, it’s such a horrible disease where you can’t remember your family or the good times.
“But he’s had so many great moments – he will never be forgotten.”
Mark Williams, CEO of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, also paid his respects at the statue.
‘His family would be proud’
The charity supports initiatives around the city to help young people in Aberdeen to reduce anti-social behaviour and create new opportunities for them.
He reflected on the charity’s effort to help fund the statue, which was built in 2021.
He said: “When the charity was founded in 2011, it was only four close friends, and the fundraising got us this statue a few years ago.
“It seemed like the natural place to come and pay our respects.
“He was obviously down in Manchester but this feels like his home in Aberdeen.”
He said Law’s family would have been proud of the turnout of fans paying their respects.
He added: “It’s heart-warming to see, and his family would be proud.”
Aberdonian Kerri Wright, 35, told The P&J about her grandma’s childhood memories of Law as she laid a bunch of roses at the statue.
Grandma’s memories of playing football with Denis Law
She said: “When they were all really young, (my grandma) and her brothers played football with him.
“I remember her telling me all the stories about him because they lived really close together.
“Her brothers all played, but because she was the only girl in the house they left her behind – but she joined in anyway.
“She used to tell us that story all of the time growing up.”
Another mourner, who chose not to be named, also shared his memory of meeting Law while working as a telephone engineer in the 1980s.
He said: “When the St Nicholas Centre was being built I was a telephone engineer working at the site.
“He was there, and I remember him taking the time out to speak to all of us. He chatted away, no problem.
“He was a true Aberdeen boy.”
He added: “He was the only Scottish laddie to ever have won the Ballon D’or, even with Eusebio and all those guys playing.
“He is brilliant – Scotland’s best player ever, without doubt.”
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