Stanley Matthews

Sir Stanley Matthews

["Footballer", "First Ballon d'Or Winner 1956", "Wizard of the Dribble"]

Born Feb 01, 1915

Hanley (Stoke-on-Trent), United Kingdom

Passed Away Feb 23, 2000 Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Lifespan 85 years old

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Notice / Correction

"To dribble past an opponent is to solve an artistic riddle with your feet; speed is good, but balance and imagination are divine."

Archival Overview

English football legend 'The Wizard of the Dribble', first-ever recipient of the Ballon d'Or in 1956, and first active footballer to be knighted, who played in the English top flight until age fifty.

Biographical Record

Sir Stanley Matthews (1915–2000) devoted himself to strict vegetarianism, fitness, and abstaining from alcohol, allowing him to maintain dazzling acceleration and swerving balance for Stoke City and Blackpool over thirty-three professional seasons.

In the legendary 1953 FA Cup final (the 'Matthews Final'), the 38-year-old winger single-handedly turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory for Blackpool with exquisite crossing in the dying minutes. In 1956, at age forty-one, he won the inaugural Ballon d'Or as European Footballer of the Year.

Key Life Milestones

1953

The Famous 'Matthews Final' at Wembley

Inspired Blackpool's dramatic 4-3 comeback victory in the FA Cup final before 100,000 spectators.

1956

Inaugural Ballon d'Or Winner

Awarded the first Ballon d'Or in football history as European Footballer of the Year at age forty-one.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Ashes interred beneath the center circle of the bet365 Stadium
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

                         GPS: 52.9883, -2.1756                    

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