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Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw ‘died after banging his head while getting out of taxi on night out with pals’
The former striker was found collapsed on the pavement by a neighbour
ASTON Villa legend Gary Shaw died after banging his head while getting out of a taxi following a night out drinking with pals, an inquest has heard.
Birmingham Coroner's Court heard how the 63-year-old former footballer was found collapsed in the street by a neighbour after he had fallen and hit his head on a kerb.
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After the accident on September 6 this year, he passed away surrounded by his family 10 days afterwards.
The inquest was told Shaw had been for a night out at the Jam House in the centre of Birmingham and was put in a taxi by friends at around 1.30am.
However, as he exited the cab, he fell and hit his head on a kerb before being found by a neighbour in the early hours.
They then phoned an ambulance and the 1982 European Cup winner was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
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However, his condition deteriorated and he died ten days later on September 16 after suffering the "severe head injury".
Birmingham Coroner Louise Hunt recorded that Shaw died as a result of an accident.
She said: "Mr Shaw had been out for the night drinking with friends on September 5.
"In the early hours of September 6 and made his way home in a taxi.
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"He was found collapsed on the pavement outside his home address having fallen and hit his head.
"He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was found to have a severe head injury as a result of the fall which resulted in his death on September 16."
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Philip Cutler, his brother-in-law, said in a statement how Gary had been out for the evening at the club.
He confirmed that Gary was put into a taxi by friends at 1.30am and after getting out of the taxi, fell and hit his head on the kerb, rendering him unconscious.
Philip said it was then sometime between 2am and 3am he was found and an ambulance called.
A doctor said in a statement Gary had suffered an extensive and diffused head injury and that no surgical intervention was possible.
He was then stabilised and put on the critical care unit.
The doctor added Gary had a CT scan on September 9 which showed a deterioration in the brain, and his death was a result of a severe head injury caused by the fall.
He also said that hypertension was a contributory factor, and a toxicological report showed that the ex-player had an alcohol reading of 221 milligrams per 100 millilitres.
Gary, an academy graduate, who scored three goals on the way to the final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam, also netted 18 times for Villa during their march to the first division title in 1981.
He was named PFA Young Player of the Year following their title-winning season, in which he scored 20 times.
The talented striker scored 79 times in 213 games for his boyhood club, and is regarded as one of Villa's best forwards in their 150-year history.
He also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Shrewsbury Town.
While he never earned a cap for England, he did play seven times for the U21s, scoring two goals.
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In recent years, Gary, idolised by many on the terraces, had been a regular match day attendee at Villa Park and often held Q&A sessions with corporate guests.
The club ambassador had also worked as a statistician, having formerly helped coach the youth team.
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