Denis Law and Torino’s link-up came in an era where few British players moved to European leagues. In addition, Law was still building his profile in British football and was not the superstar he became later in his career.
The Scottish player began his career at Huddersfield, where he moved from Aberdeen aged 16. Question marks hung over Law for his physical appearance. Slim, unconfident, and with a squint that affected his eyesight, he was judged for a perceived lack of athleticism.
However, on the pitch, the young Scotsman was an attacking force. Between 1956 and 1960, Law became Huddersfield’s key dangerman under the guidance of Bill Shankly.
After developing in with the Terriers, Law started to attract the attention of England’s footballing elite. Man United boss Matt Busby reportedly submitted a £10,000 bid to land the striker when he was still a teenager. Shankly also tried to capture Law’s signature when he departed Huddersfield for Liverpool in 1960.
Surprisingly, Law moved to relegation threatened Man City in 1960 for a then record fee for a British player of £50,000. The Scottish striker’s goals were essential in keeping City in England’s top tier. He also struck six FA Cup goals against Luton during his one-year stint for the Citizens. But the match was abandoned with 20 minutes remaining, leaving his goalscoring achievements void.
By 1962, Law was ready for a new challenge. His high price tag and an upper wage cap in England ultimately priced out several top-level clubs. Italian Serie A side Torino were eager to land the Scotsman, and Il Toro had cash to burn.
Law to Torino: A Step Into the Unknown
The draw of playing in the Italian league provided an appealing option to Law. In the summer of 1961, he arrived in Turin alongside fellow Scot Joe Baker and the pair were greeted by thousands of Il Toro fans. At the time, the fee of £115,000 was a record fee paid by an Italian club for a British player.
For a young Scottish player from a working-class background in Aberdeen, arriving in Turin was a culture shock. Law was housed in an apartment in Turin and was taken aback by the club’s pre-season training camp at the foot of the Alps.
Reflecting on his time in Turin during an Interview with the Independent, Law shared his unknown understanding of the city. He explained, “I only showed my inexperience by not realizing Torino was at the bottom of the Alps. I wasn’t expecting two foot of snow! It wasn’t a light Manchester flurry.”
In addition, he found a new way of playing in Italy different from the more direct approach of the English leagues.
As Law tried to take in his new surroundings, he was also thrust into controversy early on in Italy. Inter reportedly wanted to stop Law’s transfer to Torino. The Milan club claimed the Scotsman had signed a pre-contract with the club and protested his decision to join Il Toro.
Luckily, Inter dropped the claims and Law was able to focus on his football, which paid off once the season began.
Initial Success Followed by Troubled Times
On his home debut for Torino, Law got off the mark and scored in a 3-3 draw against Vicenza at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The goal gave Law some much-needed confidence that he could translate his goalscoring touch from the English league in Italy. As a result, he struck seven goals in his first nine matches, which helped Torino climb up to second in Serie A.
Yet, the honeymoon period did not last. Law scored just two goals in his next nine appearances and Torino’s fast start also faded away. By the new year, Il Toro fell to sixth place in the table and Law’s decline also took shape on and off the field.
The striker struggled for momentum early in 1962 but showed a short sign of a return to form when he scored a critical goal in a 2-1 home win against Lecco. Then, Law was involved in a shock car crash with Baker in February 1962. Baker drove the wrong way around a roundabout, flipped the car, and crashed on the roadside. Luckily, Law sustained minor injuries. But the event left Baker in a coma and he never played for Torino again.
Law’s goal against Lecco would prove to be his last in a Torino shirt. Il Toro suspended Law for over a month due to the car accident. When Law did return to action, he was ineffective and failed to score in Torino’s final six matches.
Inevitably, Law’s inability to settle in Turin affected his performance on the pitch. But the Scottish player was also unable to cope with the demands of Italian football. A focus on defending, passing the ball, and physical battles with opponents ultimately proved too much for the young Scotsman.
Shaping of the King
Law and Torino was a partnership that promised success. Yet the young Scot couldn’t cope with the changes and challenges in Serie A. However, he had plenty of options for his next move. Once again, Busby was eager to land Law for his United side.
Law then signed for United ahead of the 1962/63 season for yet another record fee for a British player as the Red Devils paid £110,000 for the striker. The transfer etched Law’s name into the record books as the only player to break three separate transfer fee records.
Yet the deal was worth every penny to Busby and United. Law went on to have unrivaled success at Old Trafford for 11 years. During this time he won two league titles and the FA Cup. But Law also created several long-standing goalscoring records at the club, including the most hat-tricks and the highest goal-scoring season ever.
Although his time with Torino was washed with struggles and adaptation issues, Law perhaps learned to cherish the more open nature of the English league upon his return. His time in Turin was not a complete disaster either. He finished as Il Toro’s top scorer in the 1961/62 campaign and won Best Foreign Player of the Year in Serie A that season.