|
One of the game's most prolific goalscorers of all-time, Denis Law's
first taste of English football came at Billy Shankly's Huddersfield as a
slight, bespectacled 16 year-old in 1956. On March 15th 1960 - after 16
goals in 81 League games for Huddersfield - City boss Les McDowall
spent £55,000 to give Law his first taste of life and football in
Manchester. At the time it was not only a British transfer record fee,
it was also the first time any player had ever been signed for more than
£50,000. Law began his City career with a goal on his debut in a 4-3
defeat at Elland Road. His only other goal that 1959/60 season came in
the very next game, a 3-1 home win against West Ham United. He'd play
seven times in his first term at Maine Road going on to not only
establish himself next time out, but also to finish top scorer for the
Blues with 23 goals in all competitions. This figure would have been
even higher had it not been for the bad weather and a bizarre FA Cup tie
at Luton in January 1961. City found themselves two goals down before
Law took matters into in his own hands on a bog of a pitch by scoring
six times himself in just 48 minutes.
Unfortunately for City the rain
never faltered and eventually the referee was forced to abandon the game
and a replay was arranged four days later. Once again Law scored
although this time Luton managed three in reply in a game that ran its
full course. Denis was by now the star in a struggling City side but by
July 1961 the club and the player seemed destined to part. When Italian
giants Torino offered City £110,000 (another British record and the
first time a British player had been involved in a six-figure transfer)
Law packed his bags and moved to Italy. Twelve months later he was back
in Manchester, unfortunately he was now plying his trade at Old Trafford
under the guidance of Matt Busby. By the time July 1973 came around,
Law had played more than 300 League games for United and Matt Busby was
no longer in charge. New United manager Tommy Docherty decided Law was
by now surplus to requirements and surprisingly gave him a free
transfer.
Over at Maine Road, Johnny Hart knew it was a chance too good
to turn down, and on the opening day of the 1973/74 season, Denis Law
once again took to the pitch in a City shirt. As he'd done more than 13
years previously, Law once again scored on his City debut; this time
twice in a 3-1 home win against Birmingham City. It was undoubtedly a
shrewd move by Hart who was no doubt convinced Law could still do a job
in the top flight. Playing alongside the likes of Lee, Summerbee, Marsh
and Bell, Law confirmed this fact by scoring 12 times in 27/2
appearances in all competitions, and even managed another Wembley
appearance albeit it on the losing side to Wolves in the League Cup
Final. On April 27th 1974, Law returned to Old Trafford to take part in a
game he'd never forget. Not only would it prove to be his last ever
game in England but his by now famous back-heeled goal in the dying
minutes effectively relegated his former employers. He'd had such a fine
farewell season for City that his efforts were rewarded when he was
called up for his beloved Scotland to play in two games of the 1974
World Cup finals held in West Germany. Those games took his tally to 55
internationals and were the icing on a magnificent career. In both
spells with City he scored 38 goals in a total of 80/2 appearances. (Ian Penney - author of The Legends of Manchester City)
1956–1960 Huddersfield Town 81 (16)
1960–1961 Manchester City 44 (21)
1961–1962 Torino 27 (10)
1962–1973 Manchester United 309 (171)
1973–1974 Manchester City 24 (9)
Total 485 (227 goals)
|