WHAT A DIFFERENCE A MAY DAY MAKES

May 2nd 1953 was the day that Blackpool legend Stanley Matthews helped his team win the FA Cup. 

Having transferred from home town Stoke in 1947 at 32 years of age, it looked as though he was going to see out his career quietly by the seaside running his hotel business.

Matthews had been with Blackpool in a Cup Final defeat by Manchester United in 1948. The Seasiders were 2-1 up at half time but lost to Matt Busby's first great team 4-2. In 1951 it was Jackie Milburn who spoiled the party when Newscastle beat Blackpool 2-0. Matthews was 36 years old. Surely there would not be another opportunity. 

Two years later, sporting their famous tangerine shirts, Blackpool played local rivals Bolton at Wembley, with Nat Lofthouse leading the Bolton line at centre forward. The England centre forward was already on the score sheet and Matthews' side we're 3-1 down with 55 minutes gone. It looked like third time unlucky for Matthews but Bolton's goal scorer Eric Bell tore a hamstring and stayed on the pitch. Matthews ran riot against him and provided cross after cross for another Stan, centre forward Mortensen. He had already scored his team's lone goal but with 22 minutes left he received a perfect pass from Matthews and scored another . Mortensen then converted a free kick with a minute of normal time left for his hat trick. Then Matthews set up Bill Perry to make it 4-3.

The final whistle brought an emotional out pouring for a nation's favourite who wept at the moment he realised his dream had come true at last holding his winners' medal. 

Whilst the 1953 Cup Final was known as "The Matthews' Final" many said it should have been called the Mortensen's Final.

Sir Stan (Matthews) a true ambassador for football and for Blackpool will be spinning in his grave at the goings on at his old club as the club struggles in League One and the crowds stay away protesting about the behaviours of present owners the Oyston Family. ( see previous blog)

Bloomfield Road was empty of usual home fans on Saturday as their team lost 0-4 to Wigan who gained promotion and Blackpool are destined for their second consecutive relegation.