THE yesteryear football stars of East Lancashire today paid tribute to the 'Wizard of the Dribble' Sir Stanley Matthews.

Former Blackburn Rovers winger Bryan Douglas, who took over Sir Stanley's place in the England side, described him as "one of my idols, a terrific player".

"I was growing up when he was at his peak and I saw him from the terraces many times. I had the honour of playing against him twice - once at Blackpool and at Stoke."

Another former Rovers player Ronnie Clayton - who played alongside Sir Stanley for England, said he was a mesmerising player.

"I always remember when we played Brazil at Wembley once and Sir Stanley was up against a fullback who was rated as one of the best in the world.

"After ten minutes he was tearing him apart and we ended up winning 4-2.

"He was a great player but also a nice chap. I never heard him say a bad word against anyone."

Turf Moor legend Jimmy McIlroy said Sir Stanley was a "remarkable man and a genius"

"He was the greatest dribbler of all time. It only needed a dip of the shoulder or a shimmy to leave a defender off balance."

Jimmy also said that Sir Stanley was a law unto himself when it came to fitness training.

"At the time when most other footballers were tucked up in their beds he would be out training on Blackpool prom."

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