Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town football legend Gary Shaw medals expected to be sold for £70,000 at auction

Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town football legend Gary Shaw's European Cup and League Championship medals are being sold at auction for £70,000 - three months after his death.

The 63-year-old Villa icon passed away after suffering a head injury back in September shocking the football world.

The 1982 European Cup winner was regarded as one of the club's best forwards in the club's 150-year history, scoring 79 times in 213 appearances.

Now it has emerged Shaw had previously asked a pal to sell his historic medals - ideally to the club or a Villa fan - if he ever died.  

They include his 1982 European Cup Winners medal, 1982 European Super Cup Winners medal, 1981 Football League Championship medal and 1982 Bravo Award medal.

His 1981 PFA Young Player of the Year Trophy will also be sold at Mullock Jones Auctioneers in Shropshire on Thursday.

The auctioneers said Gary offered a close friend the chance to purchase the medals around six years ago as the family were big Villa fans.

An agreement was made that the medals and trophy would never be sold while Gary was alive but to be put up for sale after he had passed.

A Mullocks spokesperson said: "Gary's wishes were ideally for the club to purchase and display for supporters or to go to a Villa fan who will appreciate and cherish them.

"Although the medals would no doubt achieve more being sold separately, the vendors have kept their promise to Gary in keeping the collection as one.

"The collection is offered to the public in a rare opportunity to own a true piece of football history."    

The Gary Shaw collection is expected to fetch between £50,000-£70,000 when it is sold next week.

Ben Jones, from Mullock Jones Auctioneers and Valuers, added: "Gary Shaw was an integral part of Aston Villa's history and a cherished figure in English football.

"The items being sold reflect a truly historic time for Aston Villa as a club.

"With a guide of £50,000 for this unique collection, we hope football fans and collectors will recognise the rarity and significance of these pieces, and hope they attract significant interest from around the globe.

“Gary’s legacy on the field speaks for itself.

"These pieces aren’t just memorabilia; they’re a tribute to a player who helped define a golden era for Aston Villa.

"We are honoured to offer this unique collection to the public."

Former Villa player Stan Collymore took to social media to urge the club to buy the medals.

He wrote on X: "No better starting point to create a club museum worthy of our history than to buy a club legend's medals back, for future Villans to know the name of Gary Shaw, and the team he played with.

"Those medals deserve to be at Villa Park, B6."

The European Cup medal is described by the auctioneers as being a "prestigious and highly sought-after piece of football history."

They say the European Super Cup Winners Medal is in itself "scarce" and desired by many collectors.

The 1981 Football League Championship medal is "steeped in history" as it was the first time Villa had won the league in 71 years and their last championship since.

And the PFA trophy and Bravo Award medals were awarded to some of the most prestigious footballers in the world at the time.

Shaw, who was born on 21 January 1961 in Birmingham,  made a lasting impact on the sport during his career in the early 1980s.  

He was part of the squad during the club's celebrated 81/82 European Cup victory and attracted admirers from fans of other clubs aside from Villa.

He was known for his keen eye for goal, his dedication on the pitch, his sportsmanship and arguably the most decorated player in Aston Villa’s history.

His time at Villa in the early 1980s saw him cement his place as a fan favourite, helping the club during one of its most successful eras.

Shaw’s career spanned from 1979 to 1992, predominantly at Aston Villa, where his technical ability, hard work, and flair made him a pivotal figure.

Following his time with Villa, Shaw went on to have a successful career at several other clubs before retiring from the professional game.  

To bid on the lots visit: bid.mullocksauctions.co.uk/auctions/9108/srmu10197/lot-details/24e3fc98-de80-4cbb-8e5b-b22d00d9b544