Sir Stanley Matthews

Blackpool are the only team to attract over 1M fans to their away games, this happened in the 1950/51 season when an average attendance of almost 48,000 per game watched Pool’s 21 away games that season. Matthews missed just one away game that season, Pool finished 3rd in the League and reached the FA Cup final. Most away teams recorded their highest home attendance that season and it was not unusual for the appearance of Stan Matthews to add at least 10,000 extra people to the gate.
 
Stan Matthews aged 46 was transferred from Blackpool to Stoke City in 1961, the transfer fee paid by Stoke City to Blackpool was £3500. The highest ever transfer fee paid at that time was £85,000. In today’s inflated market Stan as a 46 year old would have cost Stoke at least £3M. Was Stan worth it, damn right he was, he quadrupled the average attendances at Soke’s home matches and Stoke City got promoted to the top Division. Stoke City have got a wonderful statue of Stan Matthews outside their ground but still nothing at Bloomfield Road despite Stan being Pool’s greatest ever player.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Most away teams recorded their highest home attendance that season and it was not unusual for the appearance of Stan Matthews to add at least 10,000 extra people to the gate.
Click to expand...
It often meant arriving at the away ground by noon for an afternoon ko, to be able to get in when Matthews played particularly in London and Manchester, it was a time when many fans were at work until lunch time on the Saturdays.
 
Whitstabletangerine said:
It often meant arriving at the away ground by noon for an afternoon ko, to be able to get in when Matthews played particularly in London and Manchester, it was a time when many fans were at work until lunch time on the Saturdays.
Click to expand...
The good old days, if you got to a ground early enough and were willing to queue for up to 3 hours you always got in, there was never any trouble, home and away fans happily mixed together. Affordable as well, plus the players were approachable and appreciated the fans.
 
Davepick said:
SM didn't drink or smoke and looked after his body.
He was a very modest and quiet spoken man.
When I took Telegrams to him at his house on St.Annes Rd he usually asked me in whilst he opened the t/gram.
Click to expand...
I went round to the same house as a 14 year old to get his autograph on a Sunday morning, Stan said “ if I give you a very special autograph will you promise not to come to my house again “
 
Chelsea and Stoke were battling for promotion from Div 2 in the 1962/63 season. Chelsea v Stoke took place in front of a crowd of 66,000 fans in March after the big freeze. Stan was now 48 and up against 18 year old Ron “ Chopper “ Harris whose tacking even then was brutal and uncompromising. The Chelsea fans started booing Ron Harris after a series of bad tackles on Stan as they had also come to see the maestro as well as their own team. Stan turned it on and Stoke won 1-0 and were promoted as Champions.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Stan Matthews aged 46 was transferred from Blackpool to Stoke City in 1961, the transfer fee paid by Stoke City to Blackpool was £3500. The highest ever transfer fee paid at that time was £85,000. In today’s inflated market Stan as a 46 year old would have cost Stoke at least £3M. Was Stan worth it, damn right he was, he quadrupled the average attendances at Soke’s home matches and Stoke City got promoted to the top Division. Stoke City have got a wonderful statue of Stan Matthews outside their ground but still nothing at Bloomfield Road despite Stan being Pool’s greatest ever player.
Click to expand...
That's the best of the footballer statues at grounds that I've seen. The Finney one is good as is that of Bob Stokoe but Matthews' is the best.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Stan Matthews aged 46 was transferred from Blackpool to Stoke City in 1961, the transfer fee paid by Stoke City to Blackpool was £3500. The highest ever transfer fee paid at that time was £85,000. In today’s inflated market Stan as a 46 year old would have cost Stoke at least £3M. Was Stan worth it, damn right he was, he quadrupled the average attendances at Soke’s home matches and Stoke City got promoted to the top Division. Stoke City have got a wonderful statue of Stan Matthews outside their ground but still nothing at Bloomfield Road despite Stan being Pool’s greatest ever player.
Click to expand...
It’s a disgrace we don’t have a statue for probably our greatest ever player.
 
Matesrates said:
It’s a disgrace we don’t have a statue for probably our greatest ever player.
Click to expand...
Davepick said:
I think we didn't have one is because Stoke City have one.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
I imagine that is the reason, but I don't think it should stop us having a statue of him as he is just as much of a legend for us, if not more (arguably).

We should have copied United with a "trinity" statue of Armfield, Morty and Matthews!
 
TangerinePeel said:
I imagine that is the reason, but I don't think it should stop us having a statue of him as he is just as much of a legend for us, if not more (arguably).

We should have copied United with a "trinity" statue of Armfield, Morty and Matthews!
Click to expand...
Can't argue with that.
However, there might have been some agreement between Stoke City and BFC about it.
I'm sure someone will tell us. 👍
 
Davepick said:
You can't blame him for that.
At least I was there on business. 😉
Click to expand...
Davepick said:
I think we didn't have one is because Stoke City have one.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Jimmy Armfield & Geoff Hurst both have statues in their home town area of Ashton Under Lyne and also have statues at the Clubs where they spent their careers. Stan was born in Stoke and had a decent career there but his main football career achievements were all at Blackpool e.g. FA Cup Final winner, two other FA Cup Final appearances, League 1 runner up and four other Top 5 finishes, Ballon D’or winner, most popular Football player in England and known all over the World, best player of his generation, Player of the Year 1948, oldest player to play for England.
 
Last edited:
Ball on Fire said:
Jimmy Armfield & Geoff Hurst both have statues in their home town area of Ashton Under Lyne and also have statues at the Clubs where they spent their careers. Stan was born in Stoke and had a decent career there but his main football career achievements were all at Blackpool e.g. FA Cup Final winner, two other FA Cup Final appearances, League 1 runner up and four other Top 5 finishes, Ballon D’or winner, most popular Football player in England, best player of his generation, oldest player to play for England.
Click to expand...
He should have one at Blackpool he’s our greatest player in history
 
Matesrates said:
It’s a disgrace we don’t have a statue for probably our greatest ever player.
Click to expand...
I'm not so sure he was Blackpool's greatest player although that doesn't dim his standing in the game,nor the fact the '53 Final was his and the Seasiders greatest moment.
His goals per games at Stoke were phenomenal prior to arriving at BR, when he was an already established icon in the game.

I'd have thought Jimmy Armfields contribution during and after playing would make him the stand out candidate.
 
LimerickTangerine said:
He should have one at Blackpool he’s our greatest player in history
Click to expand...
It will be 60 years in Oct this year since Stan Matthews played his final game for Blackpool, it will also be 75 years ago in May next year that Stan Matthews first signed for Blackpool. What a fitting tribute and lasting legacy it would be to Blackpool FC’s finest ever player for a statue of Stan Matthews to be erected outside Bloomfield Road between Oct 2021 & May 2022. I wonder if Valerie Belekon after his recent windfall would set the ball rolling with a donation. I heard Simon Sadler recently paid almost £250k for Stan’s 1953 FA Cup final medal so he might donate. Then there are the thousands of Pool fans and also fans of Stan Matthews all over the world who may contribute. I reckon the amount required to be raised for a Stan Matthews statue would be close to £100,000 but what an attraction and achievement this would be as we leave Covid and lockdowns behind and can start watching Pool play at Bloomfield Road again. BST‘s new target could become “ Building Stan’s Tribute “.
 
Last edited:
Plumbs said:
I'm not so sure he was Blackpool's greatest player although that doesn't dim his standing in the game,nor the fact the '53 Final was his and the Seasiders greatest moment.
His goals per games at Stoke were phenomenal prior to arriving at BR, when he was an already established icon in the game.

I'd have thought Jimmy Armfields contribution during and after playing would make him the stand out candidate.
Click to expand...
I think you're right there, if I had to pick between Matthews and Armfield to be commemorated by the club it'd be Armfield. One club man, most ever appearances - he certainly is Mr. Blackpool!

If it wasn't for Stoke though I'm sure we'd be commemorating Matthews as well.
 
Plumbs said:
I'm not so sure he was Blackpool's greatest player although that doesn't dim his standing in the game,nor the fact the '53 Final was his and the Seasiders greatest moment.
His goals per games at Stoke were phenomenal prior to arriving at BR, when he was an already established icon in the game.

I'd have thought Jimmy Armfields contribution during and after playing would make him the stand out candidate.
Click to expand...
Jimmy Armfield already has a statue at Bloomfield Road and deservedly so. We are very lucky that we have several contenders for Blackpool FC’s greatest ever player and they all bring different qualities, contributions and achievements into the debate.

Don’t forget that Stanley Matthews missed out on his peak years as a footballer because of World War 2 he didnt play League or International football for 6 years from the age of 24 right through to 30. He joined Blackpool at the age of 32 when most players are thinking of retiring. Stan then stayed 14 years with Blackpool and made over 400 appearances and unlike his two periods at Stoke City he never played outside Div 1. Stan played a key role in establishing Blackpool FC as the most attractive football team in the country in the 1950s during a time when Blackpool FC enjoyed a golden period of success. Stanley Matthews is known the world over as is his association with Blackpool FC and this should always be remembered and celebrated by both current and future generations of Pool fans.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Don’t forget that Stanley Matthews missed out on his peak years as a footballer because of World War 2 he didnt play League or International football for 6 years from the age of 24 right through to 30. He joined Blackpool at the age of 32 when most players are thinking of retiring. Stan then stayed 14 years with Blackpool and made over 400 appearances and unlike his two periods at Stoke City he never played outside Div 1. Stan played a key role in establishing Blackpool FC as the most attractive football team in the country in the 1950s during a time when Blackpool FC enjoyed a golden period of success. Stanley Matthews is known the world over as is his association with Blackpool FC and this should always be remembered and celebrated by both current and future generations of Pool fans.
Click to expand...
Yup-not forgotten and the WW years had a huge impact on many players that is indeed often missed.
All depends on eras, media perception and of course fans opinions.
Sir Stan was one of the greatest players ever (if not the best) but you're bang on about how it affects the club and isn't necessarily about the player.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
TangerinePeel said:
I imagine that is the reason, but I don't think it should stop us having a statue of him as he is just as much of a legend for us, if not more (arguably).

We should have copied United with a "trinity" statue of Armfield, Morty and Matthews!
Click to expand...
Ashton United have a triple statue which includes Jimmy Armfield, plus Geoff Hurst and Simone Perrotta.

All 3 World Cup winners born in Ashton under Lyne
 
Wizaard said:
Ashton United have a triple statue which includes Jimmy Armfield, plus Geoff Hurst and Simone Perrotta.

All 3 World Cup winners born in Ashton under Lyne
Click to expand...
Thats ashtonishing.

What about Harry Johnstone then? Record appearance appearance holder (until SJA),3 Cup Finals and captain of the'53 side.
Kept out of the England side by someone called Billy Wright then when he retired continued to be involved with the club.

Born in Droylsden which is effectively Ashton -well given its nearer than the Cods are to South Shore (smiley)
 
Plumbs said:
Thats ashtonishing.

What about Harry Johnstone then? Record appearance appearance holder (until SJA),3 Cup Finals and captain of the'53 side.
Kept out of the England side by someone called Billy Wright then when he retired continued to be involved with the club.

Born in Droylsden which is effectively Ashton -well given its nearer than the Cods are to South Shore (smiley)
Click to expand...
Born in the same hospital as me 😂😂

That's where the footballing similarities end.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top