I WAS sad to hear of the death of Sir Stanley Matthews.

It brought back memories of the summer of 1958. I was stationed with my regiment the East Lancashire's, in Gun Club Barracks in Kowloon, in Hong Kong's New Territories, when I read in the local paper that Blackpool were doing a close-season tour of the Far East, including a game against a Hong Kong Select XI in a few day's time.

So a mate of mine from Blackburn, Jim Smith, formerly of Billinge Street, and I borrowed two rattles from the stores, went by ferry to Hong Kong island and jumped on a tram to the stadium.

There, to the delight of the Chinese, Sir Stan turned on his magic.

Needless to say, Blackpool won easily.

We all enjoyed it - even the Chinese.

MR D JOLL, Oxford Close, Hapton, Burnley

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