Who met Stanley Matthews?

NAPMer

NAPMer

Well-known member
In the early 90's, can't quite remember what it was, but Sir Stan was flogging some health drink and he was on Red Rose Radio in Preston. I was working down the road at the time and thought I'd chance my arm and went to where Red Rose was based at that old church. Anyhow, luck would have it, he walked out when I arrived and I went up and had a very brief chat (hadn't even thought about what I'd ask him!). Sadly way before mobile phones and so didn't get a photo but he signed a piece of paper for me and was utterly charming.
 
I met him and got his autograph in the club shop as a kid in the early 90s. I didn't really appreciate the stature of the man then, tbh. Wish I could have got a picture
 
Was in the same form as his son at school, so saw him many times, been to a few birthday parties at his house on St Annes Road.
He used to referee the football games at junior school and occasionally he would bring Jimmy Armfield along as well.
Very humble man.
 
I worked at the club in the 90's and met him at Owen's unveiling of the plans for our new "superstadium" at Whyndyke 😁
 
He was doing some promotional work at a furniture store here in Derby in the early 90s so I took my eldest along and got him to sign his photo in Roy Calleys book. Charming man.
 
Like H I saw him many times. As a teenager I was one of a number of boys that had a kick around on Highfield Rec. where Sir Stanley and his son played tennis. After tennis Stanley junior would come over and join us. Also I worked as a delivery boy at a butcher's shop at the corner of Bond St and Station Road where one of the customers was "The Wizard" and I made a delivery to St Annes Rd frequently.
 
Got tickets to England v Italy in 1997. Tickets came via Graham Kelly and we got into the posh bit before the game. The great man was the guest of honour and we were introduced. Have to say, he didn't look all that. I reckon I'd have been able to compete against him. Although there was a 50 year+ age gap between us....
 
We spoke with Sir Stan at a pre-season friendly at Newcastle Town and he signed our daughter's programme. A very unassuming man. This was the game where a fresh faced teenager John Hills made his first appearance.
 
I was sat in a cafe in los gigantes Tenerife in the early 90s having a nice cup of coffee about 8 in the morning when this gent walked on by couldn’t believe my eyes but there in front of me was the great man I never bothered him but just put my BFC wallet on the table hoping he would spot it 90 minutes later I left after some great stories from him with a handshake and a big smile and then had to explain to my wife why had been so long she looked at me rolled her eyes not convinced until two days later he walked past again said morning to me tipped his hat and was on his way the look on her face was priceless
what a great man
 
straightatthewall said:
Got tickets to England v Italy in 1997. Tickets came via Graham Kelly and we got into the posh bit before the game. The great man was the guest of honour and we were introduced. Have to say, he didn't look all that. I reckon I'd have been able to compete against him. Although there was a 50 year+ age gap between us....
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I remember this game vividly. It was a world cup qualifier. We lost 1-0 to a Zola goal.

I too was invited - but by a friend - an Italian friend - and I was sat right in among the most vociferous tifosi in the away end! AWFUL.
 
My Dad must have known Sir Stan from working on Station Road, possibly Youlds? Took me round to his house as a nipper and can remember Stan's wife giving me a Refresher sweet. Apparantly received a £1 from the Matthews to open a Post Office Savings account.
 
Met him quite a few times delivering Telegrams to his house on St Annes Rd.
He was really nice and usually asked me in whilst he opened the Telegram.
I must have been 16/17 because I was on Motor Bike (BSA Bantam).
 
Once won a hospitality* package and Sir Stan was at our table for the pre-match meal in the Club Tangerine

* Hospitable and Club Tangerine - now there's an Oxymoron
 
I was about 5 or 6 and it was on North Pier some sort of Blackpool Holiday promotional thing with a number of celebrities from sport, TV and film - I can't remember him but remember being terrified by Marty Feldman's eyes and promptly burst into tears . All the kids present were given a free Teddie bear. My mum later told me that Sir Stanley's wife was very charming and helped to calm me down wipe the tears away with her hankie. Fame eh?
 
Davepick said:
Met him quite a few times delivering Telegrams to his house on St Annes Rd.
He was really nice and usually asked me in whilst he opened the Telegram.
I must have been 16/17 because I was on Motor Bike (BSA Bantam).
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I used to live on St Annes Road Davepick...wonder where his house was - there are a few quite grand houses still down there.
 
td53 said:
Seems my nan caught him on the wrong day....
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Apparently he quite often told the story of some stroppy mare he once had a misunderstanding with in the butchers 😜

Nice to here some good stories
I had heard he wasnt as nice as Morty but the comparison was probably a little unfair as Morty was a bonafide saint by all accounts!
 
They used to have a tennis court at the back, obviously for his lad who became a professional tennis player.
 
TangerineDream said:
I used to live on St Annes Road Davepick...wonder where his house was - there are a few quite grand houses still down there.
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It's a double fronted house and it was called 'The Grange' if I'm not mistaken. Left hand side going South.
P.S. thanks BobH, I'd forgotten the number but you've brought my memory back. 👍
 
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