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Motion · S6M-16166 · 18 Jan 2025

Scotland Legend Denis Law Passes Away at 84

Lodged by Kevin Stewart Standard Motion 37 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes with great sadness the passing of the Scottish international footballer, and Aberdeen "loon", Denis Law, who was known as "The King" and "The Lawman'", on 18 January 2025, at the age of 84; notes that Denis, who grew up in a council flat in Printfield Terrace in Woodside and attended Powis Academy, went on to become what many consider to be the greatest footballer to ever play for Scotland, scoring a joint-record 30 goals in 55 international appearances and winning the Ballon d'Or award in 1964, making him the only Scottish player ever to do so; understands that his club career saw him break the British transfer record three times, moving from Huddersfield Town to Manchester City for £55,000 in 1960, to Italian club, Torino for £110,000 in 1961 and to Manchester United for £115,000 in 1962, where he then spent 11 years, winning two league titles, the FA Cup and a European Cup medal; notes that he scored 237 goals in 404 in appearances for United, making him the third-highest scorer in the club's history; further notes that he was known at the club as one-third of "The Holy Trinity" alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton; acknowledges that, despite his many accomplishments at club level, in 2012 Denis described being selected to play for his country as "the greatest honour I have ever had"; recognises that after retiring, as well as campaigning successfully to have "No Ball Games" signs removed from green spaces in Aberdeen, Denis used his profile in support of numerous charitable causes, including Meningitis Now, the Alzheimer's Society and Cancer Research UK, having himself survived prostate cancer in 2003, and helping establish a trust in his own name, the Denis Law Legacy Trust, to provide free programmes and activities for young people in Aberdeen, including setting up three "Cruyff Courts" in Torry, Tillydrone, and one bearing his own name in Catherine Street; believes that Denis, who is immortalised in a statue outside Provost Skene's House in Aberdeen city centre, will be remembered fondly by people across Scotland, particularly in his beloved Aberdeen, where he received the Freedom of the City in 2017, and hopes that his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate youngsters for generations to come.

Supporters (37)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.