Joe Shaw

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William Henry Foulkes

William Henry Foulkes

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I've been watching United off and on for about 40 years but, other than the basics revealed by Google and Wikipedia, I don't really know anything about Joe Shaw.

I was wondering if any here could put some flesh on the bare bones of the facts and figures.
 

Pure footballer always played the ball out of defence to teammates who knew each other inside out, thorough gentleman never fouled the opponent, not quick of foot but very sharp of brain, about 5'8" but we rarely got a battering in the air and those were the days of the big bruising centre forwards, anticipated everything that happened and was always in the right place, quiet organiser, an absolute priviledge to watch. How we were spoiled, us Blades.
 
Longtimesupporter said:
My favourite ever player. A great footballer rarely seen over half way line but did score a few goals.
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Excellent player was a right or left half when I first saw him play and then converted to a centre half despite being only 5ft 8 inches.
one of the best players ever to wear a blades shirt.
Was called up for England B internationals and on one occasions was reserve for the full England side in the days when Billy Wright had the shirt for centre half. Billy Wright of Wolverhampton and the England captain.
On the eve of an international game Wright got injured and we all expected Joe Shaw to be called into the side but remarkably was overlooked and a taller centre half was brought in, name escapes me.
Joe Shaw, Alf Ringstead and Jimmy Hagan all used to live at Hollythorpe Rise and they would often be on the morning bus into Sheffield Pond Street getting off at Bramall Lane for training.
No or few cars in those days.
A true legend was Joe only playing for the one club, a native of the North East as was Hagan, Ringstead coming from Ireland.
As I have said on numerous occasions we have had some great players but not all together at the same time.
I recall when Joe Mercer took over as manager he dropped Joe as Mercer considered him to small and brought in Barrass an ex England centre half whom in my opinion despite his size was a disaster for the Blades.
It is a pity that there are now so few supporters who grew up with players of the quality of Joe Shaw who also had loyalty to the club as did Jimmy Hagan who the board at one time were going to sell him to the Wednesday until Jimmy told them his opinion of it.
Many happy memories of those days.
UTB
 
Before Don Revie's first match as L**ds manager against the Blades in March 1961, he put Jack Charlton (6 feet 3 inches) up front so that he would win a lot of the balls in the air against Joe Shaw. In that match Shaw was comfortable playing against him because of his excellent anticipation and timing. Jack said of that match "I remember Joe Shaw of Sheffield United laughing at me, I was making such a mess of it"
 
Calling him a midfielder, can that charitably put down to the change in tactics and formation since Shaw's day or just a lack of research?
 
Guesty said:
Calling him a midfielder, can that charitably put down to the change in tactics and formation since Shaw's day or just a lack of research?
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Probably the latter. They didn't even indicate which one was Joe Shaw in the team photo either.
 
Woodwardfan said:
Pure footballer always played the ball out of defence to teammates who knew each other inside out, thorough gentleman never fouled the opponent, not quick of foot but very sharp of brain, about 5'8" but we rarely got a battering in the air and those were the days of the big bruising centre forwards, anticipated everything that happened and was always in the right place, quiet organiser, an absolute privilege to watch. How we were spoiled, us Blades.
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That's just about sums it up for me too, great player and a gentleman to boot.
 
HighfieldBlade said:
Joe Shaw (along with Alan Hodgkinson) made it on to this list of ultimate one-club footballers:
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Hagan , Shaw , Hodgkinson are the type of players , who were the best marketing tool for carrying the support of the blades through a families DNA . Its because our grandfathers , fathers watched these players , the same was passed down to sons and daughters for following the blades . Those type of players mean more to the club , than perhaps they actually realise , ( especially in todays slick 24/7professional marketing ) when at the time not many had a telephone , never mind a car .

UTB
 
William Henry Foulkes said:
I've been watching United off and on for about 40 years but, other than the basics revealed by Google and Wikipedia, I don't really know anything about Joe Shaw.

I was wondering if any here could put some flesh on the bare bones of the facts and figures.
Click to expand...

May I recommend....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheffield-United-FC-The-Biography/dp/1874718652

I got my copy for a fiver from the club shop, don't know if they still have them. There are individual short biographies of all the main characters that have been associated with the Blades history and I think it's largely written from a fans viewpoint. There is an extensive piece (as you might expect) about Joe Shaw. Beware though, it's quite a sad story in the end and shows the club in a poor light.
 
Mr and Mrs Shaw were friends and neighbours of my mum and dad's oldest friends who had a greengrocers shop on the parade next to the Shaw's haberdashers shop.

It was a parade of shops near what used to be the Blackstock Pub I think and, whilst I was a young'un, I met them a few times.

Remember them to be a very kindly couple
 
HighfieldBlade said:
I wondered that, too. On a more general note, I wonder when the tradition of wearing black armbands during matches first began.
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Have worked out the match as it was the only time it was the same line up as shown in the photo. It was the 2-1 win at Wendy in February 5th 1955. Whose death(s) happened in the week prior to the match? It probably will have been someone from the royal family
 

William Henry Foulkes said:
I've been watching United off and on for about 40 years but, other than the basics revealed by Google and Wikipedia, I don't really know anything about Joe Shaw.

I was wondering if any here could put some flesh on the bare bones of the facts and figures.
Click to expand...


WHF, I have commented before on here about Ivan Ponting's wonderful obituaries of footballers in the Independent. His "Book of Football Obituaries" is well worth buying and this, written after Joe Shaw's death, is just a beautiful piece of writing:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/joe-shaw-sheffield-united-stalwart-762155.html

I love the "shelling peas" line.
 
When you're a lad growing up and when the conversation round your tea table just skips a beat of reverence every time the man's name is mentioned, not exactly a genuflex but very close, maybe a dozen times a week, that's the legend that Joe Shaw was back then.

When you picture the man exercising his craft almost every time you ever played football yourself, that's the legend.

When you think of the man and your Dad talking about him every big game that your team plays even now, that's the legend. Somebody above said even the man himself might not appreciate just what he meant to us then and certainly what he would still mean to now in 2015, just imagine what that means for it still to prevail.

I watched him for 10 seasons but my parents talked about him every day for 8 years before that. Even before I went to Bramall Lane I knew Joe Shaw was our god!
 
I posted this on another thread a bit back:

"My favourite story is that told to me by a Unitedite I know, a few years older than me. In his youth he waited outside the Lane after a game in the hope of getting the autograph of Joe Shaw, his favourite player. Joe came out and immediately set off running for a bus which was just coming into view. He then realised this kid had been waiting for him, so he stopped, put his bag down, signed his book and exchanged a few words, missing his bus in the process."

I remember going to Joe's testimonial game in March, 1965 when I was six. A big crowd - 29000 - turned out, many no doubt attracted by the appearances of Stan Matthews and Jimmy Hagan. The previous month, both the United and West Ham teams had lined up to clap him onto the pitch when he made his 600th appearance. He was presented with a drinks cabinet by the club.

I also vividly remember attending the home game with Leeds in February, 1966. We had lost 4-0 at West Ham the previous week - it's on YouTube - but there was a big crowd of almost 36000 and we ended up unable to get to our usual spot on the Kop and watched the game from near to the cricket pavilion. The tannoy didn't reach that far and so the omission of Joe from the starting eleven reached us by word of mouth: "he's dropped Joe Shaw!" It felt like a pretty sensational event, truth be told. He never played another game.
 
Shalalalafenoughty said:
I also vividly remember attending the home game with Leeds in February, 1966. We had lost 4-0 at West Ham the previous week - it's on YouTube - but there was a big crowd of almost 36000 and we ended up unable to get to our usual spot on the Kop and watched the game from near to the cricket pavilion. The tannoy didn't reach that far and so the omission of Joe from the starting eleven reached us by word of mouth: "he's dropped Joe Shaw!" It felt like a pretty sensational event, truth be told. He never played another game.
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He was an unused sub for that match
 
As a youngster I walked to Carfield school via Bishopscourt Road (lived on Hollythorpe Road, Jimmy Hagan living a few doors down). Joe Shaw lived on Bishopscourt Road and one day I plucked up courage to knock on his door and ask for his autograph. However, the only football player card I had on me was Graham Shaw (had played for England) and this I passed over for signature. Joe looked at the card, looked at the young lad in front of him, again looked at the card and said "you do know his isn't me don't you?" I said yes and tried to explain that I wanted his autograph on a Blades related item. I often wonder what he really thought!
Marvellous player, on par with Hodgy, Woody and Currie.
 
Partaloablade said:
As a youngster I walked to Carfield school via Bishopscourt Road (lived on Hollythorpe Road, Jimmy Hagan living a few doors down). Joe Shaw lived on Bishopscourt Road and one day I plucked up courage to knock on his door and ask for his autograph. However, the only football player card I had on me was Graham Shaw (had played for England) and this I passed over for signature. Joe looked at the card, looked at the young lad in front of him, again looked at the card and said "you do know his isn't me don't you?" I said yes and tried to explain that I wanted his autograph on a Blades related item. I often wonder what he really thought!
Marvellous player, on par with Hodgy, Woody and Currie.
Click to expand...
I also went to Carfield school and
Joe Shaw and Alf Ringstead lived on Bishopscourt Road and the great Jimmy near you.
Wonder what years you were there?
UTB
 
Woodwardfan said:
Pure footballer always played the ball out of defence to teammates...
Click to expand...

It was towards the end of his career but this clip contains a couple of examples of what WWF is talking about.

At 3m49s, wins a header then brings it out of defence and finds Mick Jones.

At 7m23s, picks the ball up, good control and a nice crisp pass to Barry Wagstaff (who proceeds to give it away, leading to Arsenal's equaliser!).

 
Shalalalafenoughty said:
I posted this on another thread a bit back:

"My favourite story is that told to me by a Unitedite I know, a few years older than me. In his youth he waited outside the Lane after a game in the hope of getting the autograph of Joe Shaw, his favourite player. Joe came out and immediately set off running for a bus which was just coming into view. He then realised this kid had been waiting for him, so he stopped, put his bag down, signed his book and exchanged a few words, missing his bus in the process."

I remember going to Joe's testimonial game in March, 1965 when I was six. A big crowd - 29000 - turned out, many no doubt attracted by the appearances of Stan Matthews and Jimmy Hagan. The previous month, both the United and West Ham teams had lined up to clap him onto the pitch when he made his 600th appearance. He was presented with a drinks cabinet by the club.

I also vividly remember attending the home game with Leeds in February, 1966. We had lost 4-0 at West Ham the previous week - it's on YouTube - but there was a big crowd of almost 36000 and we ended up unable to get to our usual spot on the Kop and watched the game from near to the cricket pavilion. The tannoy didn't reach that far and so the omission of Joe from the starting eleven reached us by word of mouth: "he's dropped Joe Shaw!" It felt like a pretty sensational event, truth be told. He never played another game.
Click to expand...


We thought Joe had played just a season too long in fact, shame he didn't choose his time a bit better. He never relied on pace but he was blowing a bit that last year.
 
I remember although he was quite short for centre back, he won most headers. One of those players who could jump way above his size. He never seemed to lose the ball, always used it well.
 
Shalalalafenoughty said:
It was towards the end of his career but this clip contains a couple of examples of what WWF is talking about.

At 3m49s, wins a header then brings it out of defence and finds Mick Jones.

At 7m23s, picks the ball up, good control and a nice crisp pass to Barry Wagstaff (who proceeds to give it away, leading to Arsenal's equaliser!).

Click to expand...

And two neat passes from Joe which allowed Badger space to play the cross for the 2nd goal (I know goal shouldnt have stood!). Starting from 1.45

 

Silent Blade said:
And two neat passes from Joe which allowed Badger space to play the cross for the 2nd goal (I know goal shouldnt have stood!). Starting from 1.45

Click to expand...

An almost spectacular own goal by Northampton at 3:10!
Love the way Ken Wolstenholm (I think he's the one commentating) clearly and distinctly pronounces 'Sheffield United'.
 
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