This Day in History: 2022-10-27

Nr. 331

STANLEY MATTHEWS CROWNED ‘KING OF FOOTBALL’ (1957)

Many players have been hailed as the King of Football, but only one has actually been given the honour at a special ceremony. This was experienced by Sir Stanley Matthews, who missed a week’s training to fly to Ghana, to be made ‘King of Football’ by a tribe as part of the country’s independence day celebrations. Matthews also played in several matches in front of President Nkrumah and large crowds. Such an honour serves to prove the former Stake and Blackpool winger’s global fame. When Matthews died in 2000 Pele said he was, «the man who taught us how football should be played».

Stanley Matthews’ Ghanaian adventure is testament to how the Stoke legend had become one of the most famous names in world football.