THIS Sunday (May 4) sees Blackpool celebrate its greatest contribution to sporting history.

Blackpool FC won the FA Cup for the first and only time on Saturday, May 3, 1953, 50 years ago this weekend.

The game has gone down in football history as 'The Matthew Final', when England's most famous footballer picked up and FA Cup winner's medal for the first and only time.

It is somewhat ironic that an even more unique achievement -- Stanley Mortenson's hat trick -- has almost been overlooked. Overlooked, that is, by football fans from outside the Fylde coast.

The game itself looked to be going the way of Bolton, who went ahead within a minute when Blackpool's long-serving keeper, George Farm, failed to stop a Nat Lofthouse shot.

A deflected Mortenson shot levelled the scores but Bolton's captain, Billy Moir, put his side ahead again before half time.

It was 3-1 early in the second half, with an Eric Bell header apparently ending Blackpool's hopes.

But, with less than 20 minutes left, Mortenson scored his second of the game from a far-post Matthews cross.

However, despite dominating the game, Blackpool could find no way through and, with three minutes left, Bolton looked certain to take the cup.

However, with just three minutes left, Mortenson intervened with a powerful and accurate 20 yard free kick.

With two Bolton men carrying injuries (no substitutes in those days) Blackpool looked favourites to take glory in extra-time.

But the additional 30 minutes wasn't needed. Matthews, an injury doubt before the game, showed his class on the right and cut the ball back for the South African, Bill Perry, to score from close range.

It was the third FA Cup final for Blackpool, who were beaten 4-2 by Manchester United in 1948 and 2-0 by Newcastle United three years later.

Matthews played on for a further 12 years, latterly at his home town club, Stoke City, and became the first knight ever to play football professionally. He also had a spell as manager of Port Vale and spent many years travelling the world, promoting the game of football.

Mortenson stayed closer to home, becoming manager of Blackpool in the 1960s. He was also made a freeman of the town.

The club has not reached those dizzy heights since, with only success in the Anglo-Italian Cup, the LDV Vans Trophy and two play-off finals to cheer the supporters.

But things are looking up for the club. The ground, which had changed little since the days of Matthews and Mortenson has been revamped, with two new stands bearing the legends' names. The club's hospitality suite also recalls the cup final victory -- it is called the 1953 Club.