Blackpool were lucky to scrape a draw with Charlton Athletic in January 1951 to stay in the Football Association Challenge Cup (now commonly known as The F.A. Cup). They defeated the Londoners 3-0 in the return leg, following up with a 2-1 victory over Stockport. Blackpool went on to defeat Mansfield, Fulham and Birmingham City on their way to the 1951 F.A. Cup Final against Newcastle United. It was Blackpool’s second appearance in the final since the war, and although they did well to get this far, they succumbed 2-0 to the Magpies. The same year, Blackpool stormed to a third place finish in the first division, mostly thanks to one player: Stanley Matthews, the player who would be revered as one of the greatest footballers in history. He had joined the club from Stoke City in 1947 at the ripe age of 32. It was his lifelong ambition to lift the F.A. Cup, but with the defeat to Newcastle and a prior final defeat to Manchester United, Matthews appeared to have resigned himself to the belief that his chance had passed him by. After missing out on much of the 1951/52 campaign with injury, manager Joe Smith gave Matthews an inspirational speech, telling him “a lot of people think I’m mad, but even though you’re 37, I believe your best football is still to come.” He was right.

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About 2 weeks later, Matthews returned to fitness and, taking his managers words to heart, made his comeback in a 2-1 F.A. Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday. By his 38th birthday, the Daily Mirror reported that Matthews had become a greater player than ever, and that, like a fine wine, “his majesty grows with time.” Matthews was again the star of the show in the semi-final against Spurs. “They said after 1948 it was my last chance of a cup medal, and now I am going back to the final again for the third time in five years,” Matthews quoted, “Not bad for an old man.” 

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By the time Blackpool reached the 1953 F.A. Cup final on May 2, the entire nation had joined Matthews in the desire to see him lift the most sought after prize in English football. This would be his last chance. The match, which would famously become known as “The Matthews Final”, went down in the annals of history as possibly the greatest cup final ever played, with Matthews putting in the performance of a lifetime. But, for much of the game, it appeared the fairytale was not to be. Bolton took the advantage after just two minutes, and although Blackpool equalised, it was 2-1 to Bolton at half time and 3-1 on the hour mark. Time was ticking down, and for Blackpool, and Matthews, it appeared to be all over. This is when Matthews’ artistry came into effect, and in the words of a Times correspondent, “he turned Blackpool into giants at a time when all his inspiration might well have drained away.”

With just 22 minutes left to play, Matthews sped past defender John Ball and put a cross into the box, which Mortensen reached to score his second of the match. A wave of hysteria swept over the 100,000 strong crowd, and with 15 minutes to go, the genius winger Matthews took control, continuously supplying his teammates, but each chance was wasted. Finally, Blackpool won a free kick on the edge of the box with one minute left in the game. Mortensen fired the ball into the net, and it was 3-3. Extra time loomed, but Matthews was not finished. He collected the ball, went past Barrass and cut the ball back to Perry, who converted in the 90th minute of the game. Blackpool had won 4-3, and Matthews had finally achieved his dream. “My mind was cleared of all thoughts of cup medals, scores or minutes,” he said. “I just kept on playing - on and on. It was only when it was all finished that I spoke aloud to myself: ‘I’ve done it at last’.”

Achievements: FA Cup – Winners x1
                           Lancashire Senior Cup – Winners x1

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Star player: Stanley Matthews DOB 1 Feburary 1915, Hanley, England, nickname: The Wizard of the Dribble

Often regarded as the greatest player of the English game, Matthews is the only footballer to ever receive a knighthood while still playing. He did not drink alcohol or eat red meat, and stayed fit enough to play top level football until he was 50, playing his final competitive game in 1985 at age 70! He was the oldest player to play in the top division and the oldest to represent England. He spent 19 years of his career at Stoke City, starting as an office boy earning £1 a week. Matthews was totally committed to football, shunning the social scene and golf with his team mates to train intensely by himself. He continued to improve throughout the 1930s. His career was interrupted by World War 2, with Matthews signing up for the Royal Air Force. He was stationed just outside Blackpool and rose to the rank of Corporal. He played in the Wartime League for Stoke and made guest appearances for Blackpool, as well as in 41 unoffical wartime matches for England. After the war, he remained in Blackpool, signing for the Seasiders in 1947 at 32 and earning the maximum wage allowed for a professional player - £12 a week. He became their star player, winning the F.A. Cup. He returned to Stoke in 1961, playing his final game in 1965 at 50. After that, Matthews gave up his summers every year to coach children from poor countries around the world. He travelled to South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania. One team of kids told him it was their dream to play in Brazil, so Matthews organised a trip there. Matthews was a true gentleman, and will forever be remembered as a legend.