On This Day – 18th October
Stanley Matthews signed for Stoke City on this day in 1961 at the ripe old age of 46! The signing of the contract was televised live on BBC Sportsnight.
Matthews had made his league debut when at Stoke City all the way back in 1932, staying at the Victoria Ground until 1947, when he joined Blackpool for £11,500.
Whilst at Blackpool, Matthews famously won the FA Cup in 1953, helping his team come back from 3-1 down to win 4-3. Despite his team mate Stan Mortenson scoring a hat-trick in the game, the Final became known as ‘The Matthews Final’ for the huge contribution that he made in winning the Cup.
The move to Stoke in 1961 came about as Stoke manager Tony Waddington was trying to get Stoke out of the Second Division and back to the First. He offered Matthews £50 a week (double what he was on at Blackpool) and within two years, City won the Second Division title. The title was secured with a 2-0 win at home over Luton Town, with Matthews scoring his only goal of the season in the victory.
Matthews retired at the end of the 1964/65 season at the age of 50, after being knighted midway through the season. He is one of the greatest English players of all-time.
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