Contents
Stanley Matthews
Becoming the first Ballon d’Or winner and playing top-flight football into his fifties.
FA Cup final · First Ballon d’Or
- Born
- 1 February 1915
- Birthplace
- Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom
- Died
- 23 February 2000
More people
Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews was an English winger whose dribbling and crossing earned him the nickname the Wizard of the Dribble.
Early life
Sporting father
His father was a boxer and encouraged physical training.
Stoke apprenticeship
Joined Stoke City as a teenager.
Career
- 1930s–1947
Stoke City
Established himself as a leading winger, with his career interrupted by wartime football.
- 1947–1961
Blackpool
Continued at the highest level into his forties.
- 1961–1965
Stoke return
Helped the club regain top-flight status.
Achievements
FA Cup final
Helped Blackpool overturn a two-goal deficit against Bolton.
First Ballon d’Or
Won the inaugural award at forty-one.
Final top-flight appearance
Played for Stoke shortly after turning fifty.
Beyond football
Fitness habits
Was known for careful training and diet.
Coaching abroad
Worked with young players internationally, including in South Africa.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗UEFA: Ballon d’Or winners ↗Photo: Harry Pot for Anefo ]] NL-HaNA / neg. stroken, 1945-1989. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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