Stanley Matthews

Sir Stanley Matthews , born the 1 {{er}} February 1915 with Hanley and deceased the February 23rd 2000 with the Stoke-one-Trent, was a Football or English called The wizard off the Dribble (the magician of the dribbles). Indeed, it with the reputation to have been one of the finest dribbleurs of the history of football. The fact that he never drank alcohol and that he is vegetarian helped it to evolve/move with the more high level until age the 50 years (becoming oldest of the championship of England). He was the first player to have received the Ballon of gold in 1956.

Biography

Matthews was born with Seymour Street, Hanley, the Stoke-one-Trent, and was the third of the four boys of the family. His/her father was a local champion of Boxe and the direction of the discipline, the determination and the competition gave him, which will be used for his/her son throughout his career.

It showed its footballistic qualities very early, quickly signing a professional contract with Stoke City FC in 1932 and carrying out its international beginnings there with the Équipe of England in 1934 in a match which opposed them to the Wales that English gained 4-0. Three years afterwards, much will have in memory its blow of the hat (three goals of sharpened in the same meeting) against the Czech selection in 1937.

In 1938, Matthews requires to be transferred, but because of the prostestation of 3.000 supporters of the club, it decides to remain.

The Second world war stops its career, lasting laquel it will be useful in the Royal Air Force and was stationed with Blackpool. Return of the war, it feels less near to its club and finally will be transferred to Blackpool FC in 1947. The following year, it inaugurates the reward of the Football Writers' Association Footballer off the Year, decreed with the best player of the championship of England. Blackpool FC, its agreement with Stan Mortensen makes it possible the club to finally gain the F Cup in 1953 after two failures in 1948 and 1951.

Meanwhile, Matthews disputes the world cup of 1950 where it will make only one appearance against the Spain (demolished 0-1). With final, it will have disputed 54 official matches for the English colors for a total of 11 goals. Its ultimate match with the English selection will take place the May 15th 1957, which makes the player with the longest international career of it (in time), it had indeed disputed its first selection the September 29th 1934, that is to say 23 years separates these two dates.

The final of F Cup 1953 should not especially be forgotten when one evokes Matthews. Blackpool is carried out 1-3 by Bolton before imposing itself 4-3. The author of the hat-trick is not Stanley Matthews, but his fellow-member Stan Mortensen. But, it delivered a performance of great talent. This day will remain forever like " The Matthews Cup Final". At 38 years, the preferred footballer of the English finally raises its first trophy after two failures. Its great day finally arrived.

In 1956, Matthews becomes the first player gained the Ballon of gold at the 41 years age.

In 1961, it finds its club of its beginnings (Stoke City FC), gaining the following year the championship of England de D2 where it will be elected better player of the championship. It will remain in this club until its retirement the February 6th 1965, just after its fiftieth birthday. He declared that he will have withdrawn himself from the foot too early . He will celebrate his jubilee in front of 35.000 spectators in April 1965 where many stars made displacement (Lev Yachine, Josef Masopust, Ferenc Puskas or Alfredo Di Stefano). Behind, it was anobli by the queen becoming the first British footballer to receive this prestigious reward.

Astonishing footballer, Stanley Matthews did not have its similar to captivate crowd. Matthews is 30 years old lasting filled the stages, it is undeniable. Blackpool FC, modest formation where it evolved/moved in 1950 - 1951, remains the only club of the history of the English championship to have attracted more than one million spectators in displacement over one season! To complete its career except standards, Sir Stanley Matthews was indicated better player of the year in England in 1963.

After having disputed 698 matches in championship, Matthews will involve Port Vale FC during three years whose club will have large concerns for paiments of its players and will see a suspended time then reinstated in the championship. After that, it will go to Malta involved Paola Hibernians FC (in which it will play some matches), then will go in South Africa to Soweto involved the Stan' S Men , finally it will finish its career of trainer to the Canada.

During all its career, it gained the respect of its adversaries, as much for its technical qualities that to be a perfect gentleman of which the proof is its 886 official matches without never being informed only once.

It disappears with 85 years lâge to the Stoke-one-Trent where approximately 100.000 people will ravel accompanying the procession, and one drew up a statue with his effigy in the city.

Quotations

“You are 32 years old. Think of still being able to be played during the two next seasons?” Joe Smith, trainer of Blackpool (1947).

“the man who taught us football such as it should be played” Pelé

“Stanley Matthews said to me one day that he played for two pounds sterling per week. Today, it would be worth more than all the money of the Bank of England” Gianfranco Zola

Prize list

Victorious of the Cut of England: 1953 (Blackpool FC).

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