Sir Stan

[A-teen_six_T3]

Regarded by many as the best player to engrace the English game. I wasn't fortunate to see him play. And have all seen, small video clips of him playing. How good was he? Was he as god as everyone made out? Will there ever be anyne alike? As there been anyone close to him.

Certianly I can't see any of these pre-madona players in todays game playing unitl age 51.

[onlyonesirstan]

Although I saw him for a couple of times as a very young boy, my dad says he was absolutely awesome. The players of today ie the likes of beckham aren't fit enough to clean Sir Stan's boots.
He was one of the best, and I don't think we will ever see anyone who will even get anywhere near him, in regarding his skills, dribbling and crossing.
As my username says: Only One Sir Stan

[JoeinOz]

In Bobby Charltons brilliant autobiography he says seeing Stan was truly inspirational.

[Lakeland Potter]

Saw him on TV in the Matthews Cup Final - that game probably "hooked" a lot of people on the game of football. Saw him live a few times before he came back to Stoke and he was impressive. Obviously I went to his comeback game at Stoke.

What impressed me when he came back to Stoke was that, even though he was older than my dad, his speed off the mark from a standing start was still better than almost any of his much younger opponents. If there was an Olympic sport of the "ten yards dash" he could have won it at the age of 47! His balance was also in a class of its own - many a time he would leave top international full backs on their backside even in the old first division when we got back there.

[y_oh_y_delilah]

.........what Fornside said!

In these days of over hype when average players are described as 'great', Sir Stan's ability easily elevated him into that category and IMHO he stands alongside true greats like Best, Eusabio and Pele. He was THAT good a footballer!

The return game against Huddersfield in 62, is one that whoever was there will never forget not least by putting an extra 25,000 (yes TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND) on the gate.
I don't think there are many players around today who could do this!

[Joey Starr]

A lot of people will say that Blackpool had Stan's best years, but the truth is that the RAF did, with Stan living out his late twenties during the war - All the more remarkable then that even denied this period of professional competitive football, his achievements remain outstanding and unsurpassable.

We are lucky to have had him - also incredible is that as well as the undeniably greatest outfield player of all time, we have been and still are the home of the greatest goalkeeper of all time, another humble and most dignified gentleman and ambassador, the second President of our beloved club, Banksy.

[daverichards]

we should have a stand named after him at least , even Blackpool have managed that , and he was one of "our own"

[Joey Starr]

We could have The Stanley Matthews Seddon Stand or The Stanley Matthews John Smith's Stand, but this sounds a little demeaning to the great man. The Boothen will always be the Boothen no matter who might sponsor it or try to rename it which leaves The South Stand. Even though this is the Away End, it is still part of OUR ground. I just wonder Dave, given Sir Stan's reputation for fair play and his universal regard whether it would be appropriate to suggest the South Stand being named after Stan as you say. I also wonder what the psycological effect would be on visiting fans - would their seats being in The Stanley Matthews Stand imprint the idea that they were the privileged visitors to Stan's backyard make them reverent enough to show any Stoke City team and fans the right kind of respect?

[daverichards]

Fine Idea Joey , however as a mark of respect maybe the club should fuck the advertising money off and just name one of the Home Stands after the great man

[Joey Starr]

Ideally yeah Dave (oh just a minute - GOOOO ON FULLER!!! - 3-1)
I do worry though some times that the directors don't realise what they have. They seem keen sometimes to not overplay our past - eg lack of a tribute to big John still, but whenever you talk to anybody about Stan, you're always reminded of the incredible impact he had on the game - the dribble, taking football to Africa, innovative boot design, the value of a good diet/exercise programme etc. .... and I don't think that you can overstate the importance of all of this. Stan is synonomous with Stoke and rightly so.

[daverichards]

Indeed, maybe we need to petition the club, anyone want to get the ball rolling, what about a Poll to start with

[PotterLog]

joeystarr said:

We could have The Stanley Matthews Seddon Stand or The Stanley Matthews John Smith's Stand, but this sounds a little demeaning to the great man. The Boothen will always be the Boothen no matter who might sponsor it or try to rename it which leaves The South Stand. Even though this is the Away End, it is still part of OUR ground. I just wonder Dave, given Sir Stan's reputation for fair play and his universal regard whether it would be appropriate to suggest the South Stand being named after Stan as you say. I also wonder what the psycological effect would be on visiting fans - would their seats being in The Stanley Matthews Stand imprint the idea that they were the privileged visitors to Stan's backyard make them reverent enough to show any Stoke City team and fans the right kind of respect?

Did you manage to keep a straight face typing that?