STANLEY MATTHEWS

Stanley Matthews, arguably one of the most famous footballers "ever", died on February 23rd in 2000. He was my hero, following his impressive playing and character during the 1950s and beyond, I followed his career, once I was old enough to appreciate his performance. He was as famous as any footballer in the World, especially during his "pomp". He died on this day in 2000 and the streets of Stoke were lined with thousands of locals and his ashes were buried under the centre circle of Stoke City's Britannia Stadium. 

I had the privilege of meeting him on a couple of occasions, after his playing career but when he was still a true celebrity. He was a true legend of the game, playing in top flight football in England up to his 50th birthday, when still playing for his "home club" Stoke City.  The "Potters" was his home club and he made the move to a more "ambitious" club at that time, Blackpool. Having played for the "Seaside" club for most of his career, he evenually decided to "fade out" gracefully going back to Stoke for his final years.

Sir Stanley Matthews (1 February 1915 – 23 February 2000) played at "outside right". That might need explaining to some youngsters out there! At the time, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing football, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. His nicknames included "The Wizard of Dribble" and "The Magician".

Matthews kept fit enough to play at the top level until he was 50. He was also the oldest player to play in England's top football division (50 years and 5 days) and the oldest to represent the country (42 years and 104 days). He was an inaugural inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 to honour his contribution to the English game. He was never booked in his 33 year long career.

Matthews spent 19 years with Stoke City, playing for The Potters from 1932 to 1947 and again from 1961 to 1965. He helped Stoke to the Second Division title in 1932-3 and 1962-3. Between these two spells at Stoke, he spent 14 years with Blackpool, where, after being on the losing side in the 1948 and 1951 FA Cup Finals, he helped Blackpool to win the FA Cup with a formidable personal performance in the "Matthews Final" of 1953. Matthews was as famous as any footballer today and many would have cheered Blackpool's 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers at that time. Even some of the Bolton lads would have felt the importance of that victory....from 1-3 down, Matthews inspired a superb victory.

In 1956, he was named the winner of the inaugural Ballon d'Or, a prize given to the best European footballer each year. Between 1934 and 1957, he won 54 England caps, playing in the FIFA World Cup in 1950 and 1954, and winning nine British Home Championship titles for England.

Following an unsuccessful stint as Port Vale's general manager between 1965 and 1968, he travelled around the world, coaching enthusiastic amateurs. His experiences included coaching in South Africa, where, despite the harsh apartheid laws of the time, he established an all-black team in 1975 in Soweto known as "Stan's Men". 

He was never booked in his 33 year career!  

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1932–1947	Stoke City	259	(51)
1947–1961	Blackpool	379	(17)
1961	→ Toronto City (loan)	14	(0)
1961–1965	Stoke City	59	(3)
1965	→ Toronto City (loan)	6	(0)
Total		717	(71)
International career
1929	England Schoolboys	1	(0)
1934–1956	The Football League XI	13	(2)
1934–1957	England	54	(11)
1947–1965	United Kingdom	3	(0)
Managerial career
1967–1968	Port Vale