Joe Shaw, who died on 23 June, 1928, was one of those footballers who, to the amazement of the fans of his club, never played for his country.

He played 714 times for Sheffield United, a club record, and was one of the best defenders in the country.

However, despite representing the Football League on two occasions, he was never given the call-up to the England team that many felt he deserved.

Joseph Shaw was born on 23 June, 1928, in Murton, County Durham. He began his career as a wing-half with Upton Colliery, near Doncaster, and signed for Sheffield United in 1945.

He made his debut aged 16 in a wartime fixture against Huddersfield Town. He made his first appearance in the Football League proper in August 1948 in an ill-tempered match against Liverpool – among several injuries, Shaw was kept on the sidelines for quarter of an hour with a bloodied nose.

After several years in midfield, manager Reg Freeman moved the hard-working player into the centre of defence during the 1954/55 season. There he excelled, making up for his lack of height with a sharp reading of the game.

His success in his new position saw him become part of two Football League representational sides and a Football Association team who toured Australia. But he was never able to get into the England team where Wolverhampton’s Billy Wright had made the position his own – Wright would win 105 caps during the 1940s and ’50s.

Shaw played for United up until the age of 38 when he played his final game against West Ham United on 6 February, 1965. He had captained the club during three spells and scored eight goals.

After retirement he became a coach at United and then had mediocre management spells with York City and Chesterfield.

Fans posting on an online book of condolence spoke of his gentlemanly nature and talent. One contributor said they began supporting Sheffield United after being “won over with his genius” and even a Sheffield Wednesday fan described him as a “legend”.