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Post by knowles on Feb 20, 2008 10:43:37 GMT
Might be of interest.... MORTIMER: A WHIFF OF OPTIMISM IN THE POTTERIES? Be the first reader to comment on this story 09:30 - 20 February 2008 Stoke City's position at the top of the Championship brings a whiff of optimism to the Potteries and reflects well on the hard work of the manager, Tony Pulis. However well they do, Stoke cannot emulate the romance of the early 1960s, when Stanley Matthews returned home after his successful spell with Blackpool. Matthews was signed in October, 1961, when he was 46 but it was no mere gimmick by Tony Waddington. The legendary winger could still play and he brought the crowds back to a depressed club. For his reappearance, the attendance shot up from 7,000 to 37,000, instantly repaying a modest transfer fee. Waddington was able to cash in on the revival of interest, signing some of the most skilful and watchable forwards of the era, Jimmy McIlroy, Dennis Viollet, a survivor of the Munich air crash, Peter Dobing, Jackie Mudie and George Eastham. It was a gradual process and while Waddington went for class in attack, he was shrewd enough to incorporate two enforcers from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Eddie Clamp and Eddie Stuart, in defence. Stoke won promotion from the old Second Division in 1962-63 and went on to their only major trophy, beating Chelsea in the 1972 League Cup final. They were fun to watch, although considerably more effective at home than on their travels. Matthews played until he passed 50, became Sir Stanley and filled the Victoria Ground for a testimonial dripping with Europe's top players. It is not a story that will be repeated in the present, frenzied age. Nor is there anybody like Matthews. www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132277&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128334&contentPK=19928729&folderPk=78988&pNodeId=126358 |
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Post by albanianstokie on Feb 20, 2008 10:53:29 GMT
Can't argue with that. Matthews is THE legend of English football, one of the greatest players of all time and he played for Stoke. We should be (and i know we are) very proud to have such a heritage.
I don't think that Pulis will ever emulate Waddo, but I would love it if he proved me wrong!!!
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Post by Block 25 on Feb 20, 2008 10:59:01 GMT
proud that a man like him with his ability is a stokie as much as blackpool try to claim him naming a stand after him he was stoke at heart  a true legend for stoke and england he should of got many more caps than he did mathews is a stokie, mathews is a stokie ;D |
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Post by Pedropotter on Feb 20, 2008 11:07:34 GMT
Hanley born and bred. You cant get much more Stoke than that!
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Bonkolina
Youth Player
You Know You Want It !
Posts: 283
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Post by Bonkolina on Feb 20, 2008 12:38:28 GMT
Stoke born and bred ?
GD
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Post by Pedropotter on Feb 20, 2008 12:56:05 GMT
??? ;D
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Post by Danstoke82 on Feb 20, 2008 12:59:31 GMT
R.I.P. Sir Stan, absolute legend and I am definately proud that the great man was associated with my beloved Potters. Great article.
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