Sir
Stanley Matthews
Footballer
of the Year 1948 and 1963, European Footballer of the Year 1956,
International Fair Play Committee Award for Services to Sport
1987.
Career
Statistics: 664 league appearances, 84 England caps; 11 England
goals
Never
booked.
Born:
1 February 1915 (Hanley, Staffordshire)
Clubs:
1932-1947
Stoke
City 1947-1961
Blackpool
1961-1965
Stoke
City International debut: 1934 v Wales Honours: 1948
Britain's
first Footballer of the Year 1953 FA Cup (Blackpool) 1956
European Footballer of the Year 1957
Awarded
OBE 1963 Footballer of the Year 1965
Nighted
(the first footballer to be so honoured)
On
6th February 1965 Stanley Matthews became the only man over
50 years old to make an appearance in the first division, when
he played his last game for Stoke City against Fulham. He had
celebrated his birthday five days earlier.
After he retired, Matthews went to live in Malta where he coached
Hivernians (he played for them until he was 55). He also coached
in Africa, which he loved, read his autobiography for more details.
He also played for local sides, and was still sprinting down
the wing in his 60s.
He
was never booked.
