STANLEY' DEBUT

On 19th March 1932, Stanley Matthews made is first team debut for his local club, Stoke City against Bury in the English Second Division. He went to Blackpool in May 1948 at 32 years old and returned to Stoke in 1961 playing until he was 53, remarkable however he was a fitness fanatic who looked after himself in all aspects. 

He won 54 caps for England which does not seem a lot considering his longevity but England did not play as many internationals in those days. He did appear in two World Cups, 1950 and 1954, was Knighted when still playing the game (unique), was European Footballer of the Year, the Football Writers player of the Year, the oldest player to play in the top division, the oldest to play for England (probably the oldest in any international team) and was installed in the English Football Hall of fame.

Stanley played in three cup finals with Blackpool in 1948 losing 2-4 to Manchester United, in 1951 losing to Newcastle United and then beating Bolton 4-3 from 1-3 down in what was known as the Matthews' Final.

In 1965 he started on a managerial campaign with Port Vale which lasted only three years. Port vale as you know is the only league club not to be named after a real place. In total he played nearly 700 games and scored 71....there is no record of his assists.

In 1975 Matthews was still involved with football, carrying the game into Soweto where he formed an "All Black XI" that promoted the game in South Africa.

He died on February 23rd 2000 and was my "hero".