SIR Stanley Matthews, Blackpool's greatest sporting hero, died on Wednesday night (February 23) at the age of 85.

Sir Stan, the Wizard of the Dribble and the hero of the 1953 FA Cup final win over Bolton, died in hospital in North Staffordshire after a short illness.

The passing of Sir Stan marks the end of a footballing era and today the whole of Blackpool was mourning the loss of a legend, a man who had put the resort firmly on the sporting map in the dark years after the Second World War and who helped to raise the spirits of the local fans with so many breathtaking performances.

He won 54 caps for England and made over 700 appearances for Stoke and Blackpool in the Football League, the last when he was five days past his 50th birthday in 1965, the same year he was knighted.

Last night tributes to his skill and humility came from all corners of the sport he had graced for so many years.

His great friend and rival Sir Tom Finney said: "I have so many memories of Stan. He was the greatest player of his era in terms of close control. And he was such a modest man. I am very sorry he has gone." Stanley Matthews was born in Hanley in the Potteries in 1915 and he joined Stoke as a 14-year-old. He made his Football League debut at Bury at the age of 17 and two years later he won the first of his England caps.

It was in 1948 that he joined Blackpool where he earned the title of the Wizard of the Dribble for his amazing ability to jink his way round a succession of bewildered full-backs.

The famous 1953 final when the Seasiders came back from 3-1 down to beat old rivals Bolton has always been knows as "The Matthews Final" for his inspirational play and mesmerising moves down the right wing.

Former England star and TV pundit Gary Lineker spoke for a generation of younger players and fans: "We all know what a great player he was. But he was also a very humble man and could never understand what all the fuss was about."

Sir Stanley Matthews, a legend of soccer and a Lion of England, will certainly be missed.

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