A recurring back injury that first occurred during his spell at Scunthorpe United forced him to retire from playing at a relatively early age.
The trio were key members of the Sheffield Boys U15s team along with Scott Sellers of Hinde House School and Steven Harris of Abbeydale Grange School that won the ESFA Inter Association Trophy in that year, the boys also played for the Sheffield Sunday League team Throstles.
Daws' pace, strength and predatory scoring had alerted the big clubs and there were a number eager to sign him.
Daws was spotted by a Manchester United scout and subsequently signed for the club, with his registration filed on his 14th birthday.
One year later it occurred to him and his father, James, that he would have to be a truly exceptional player to make the Manchester United first team.
In front of him in the pecking order were established first-team players Joe Jordan, Steve Coppell, Andy Ritchie, Mickey Thomas and Gary Birtles.
In 1981 following persuasion from Jimmy Sirrel (general manager) and Howard Wilkinson (Head Coach) of Notts County, Daws signed schoolboy forms for the Nottingham club.
He made his debut for his hometown club on 8 November 1986, scoring both goals in a 2–0 win at Blackburn Rovers for Billy McEwan's Blades team.
Daws made the short journey to North Lincolnshire to sign for new manager Mick Buxton[4] in the summer of 1987.
He made his debut for The Iron in the opening game of the season, a 3–0 home league win over Tranmere Rovers on 15 August 1987.
[8] On 28 November 2022, Daws stepped down to return to his role as academy manager; the first team had won just twice during his tenure and were in 23rd position, six points from safety, with only goal difference preventing them from being bottom of the league.