This Day in History: 2023-02-14

Nr. 404

SIR STANLEY BOWS OUT (1965)

Stanley Matthews played his final professional game on 6 February 1965, five days after his 50th birthday – and the ‘Wizard of Dribble’ still claimed he had retired too early. That last match was his 710th as a professional in a career that was split between Stoke City and Blackpool. In that time he was voted the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year twice, European Footballer of the Year – and he was never booked. Such was his standing in the game that his testimonial on 28 April drew stars from around the world. Having earned a CBE during his playing career, Matthews was finally knighted in the year of his retirement.

Matthews hangs up his boots, appearing in an all-star Stoke City team for his testimonial. Changing alongside the old master is Jimmy Greaves.