Sir Stanley Matthews (
February 1,
1915 -
February 23,
2002) was a
football player of genius and one of the greats of the
English game. A natural right-winger, he showed early promise and played for England schoolboys against Wales. He signed professional terms with
Stoke City F.C. in
1932. His international debut came in
1934, scoring in the England side which beat
Wales 4-0. In
1937 he scored a
hat-trick[?] in a game against
Czechoslovakia.
The war interrupted his career, during which time he was in the RAF stationed near Blackpool. After a falling out with Stoke, he transferred to join Blackpool F.C..
He played his final England game in 1957; to this day he remains the oldest player to have played in an England shirt.
In 1961 (aged 46) he rejoined Stoke City. He hung up his boots just after his 50th birthday.
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