Matthews playing at the Turf

[Jimscho]

One of my first games watching Burnley was when Sir Stanley Matthews played for Blackpool at Turf Moor.I seem to remember Alex Elder following him all over the pitch and my dad saying,'if he goes to the dressing room Elder will follow him'.Would like to know what year this was if anyone can help please.

[Bin Ont Turf]

It must either be the Championship season or the 60/61 season.

Matthews left Blackpool in 61.

[CleggHall]

Before that match Matthews was promoting and selling his brand of football boots at the co-op on Lord street, Rochdale. I got his autograph!

[Silkyskills1]

Think it was 60/61. Only time I ever saw him too I think. Team changes used to be announced over the tannoy before the game started and all I seem to recall was No7 for Blackpool replacing Matthews is Mandy Hill.

[conyoviejo]

I have his autograph on a personal letter to my dad..wonder if it's worth anything ..

[mdd2]

We lost I know that and in no small part from Potts cocking up by getting Elder to stalk Stan-ridiculous idea given Stan's age

[mkmel]

The story I always remember about Sir Stanley Matthews was that he was always nervous before a game.
So much so that he used to throw up in the changing rooms.

[winsomeyen]

He was also promoting his boots in the old Coop on Hammerton st.

[mrhungryone]

He was also promoting his boots in the old Coop on Hammerton st.

Where santa had his grotto.... didnt see sm play....

[conyoviejo]

Who do you think was the best Stanley Matthews or Tom Finney ?

Tom Finney for me ..

[mkmel]

Without doubt for me Tom Finney was the better player

[fatboy47]

Who do you think was the best Stanley Matthews or Tom Finney ?

Tom Finney for me ..

Jimmy McIlroy.

[ClaretTony]

Never saw Matthews but my dad said he always used to pull out of the big games and rarely played at the Turf.

As for Matthews v Finney - my dad said Finney was the best player he ever saw and Jimmy Mac told me that Finney was by far the best player he ever played against. Not having seen either, I'll take their opinions.

[ClaretTony]

Matthews definitely didn't play at the Turf in 1959/60 season

[Selby Claret]

Think it was 60/61. Only time I ever saw him too I think. Team changes used to be announced over the tannoy before the game started and all I seem to recall was No7 for Blackpool replacing Matthews is Mandy Hill.

Stephen "Mandy" Hill (15 February 1940 – 27 November 2010) was an English professional footballer. He played as a forward.

Hill began his career with his hometown club, Blackpool, in May 1959. He made his debut for the Tangerines on 3 October 1959, in a 3–1 defeat to Manchester City at Bloomfield Road, as a deputy for the injured Stanley Matthews. He made a further six appearances in the 1959–60 campaign.

In 1960–61, Hill made ten league appearances, as well as appearing in his first Football League Cup tie – a 3–1 second-round-replay loss at home to Leeds United on 5 October 1960.

Blackpool manager Ron Suart gave Hill an extended run in the team during the 1961–62 season, after Stanley Matthews was allowed to return to Stoke City. He started 36 of the club's 42 league games, and scored his first goal in the process – the second in a 2–0 victory at home to West Ham on 4 September 1961. He also helped Blackpool to the semi-finals of the League Cup, appearing from the second round onwards.

In 1962–63, Hill's appearances were limited due to injury. He started only nine league games. The same applied for the following 1963–64 season, which proved to be his final one for the club. After losing his place to Leslie Lea, Hill made only nine league appearances, the final one occurring on 18 January 1964, in a 2–0 loss at home to Spurs.

Hill joined Tranmere Rovers in September 1964, with whom he scored ten goals in 131 league appearances. He moved to Wigan Athletic in July 1968,where he appeared 36 times in the Northern Premier League during his two seasons at the club.

Hill later managed a TV rental shop in Blackpool. He died on 27 November 2010, aged 70.

[ClaretTony]

If Matthews played on the Turf in 60/61 then I did see him play

[joey13]

Nearly as good as Damien

[Hipper]

The story I always remember about Sir Stanley Matthews was that he was always nervous before a game.
So much so that he used to throw up in the changing rooms.

I think Gordon West, the Everton goalkeeper, said that too.

[Too old to be grumpy]

https://tinyurl.com/hmj4ocl

The link is to an audio clip from the BBC archive featuring Arthur from Barrowford recalling his trips to the Turf in the late 1940s/50s and early 60s. Paints a wonderful picture of what life was like in the ground before concrete terracing. He makes reference to Stanley Matthews saying that he tended not to play at Burnley because it wasn’t a ‘glamour fixture’. Whether that is correct or not doesn’t matter; the recording is a fascinating look back at the match day experience 60 years ago when gates of 30- 40000 were not uncommon.

[BFCBaz]

I've finally registered especially to contribute my experience on this topic. Please be kind!
I saw Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool on Turf Moor around 1951. I was about 5yrs old and my dad took me specially to see him. I also got my first football boots from the Co-op on Hammerton St, signed by Stanley. My memory may be a little out, but I have always believed that I got them on the same day, or around that time.
You are correct in saying that he rarely played at Turf Moor, hence the treat for a 5 yr old. I can confirm that at, any rate, this happened prior to 1957, which was the year my dad passed away, leaving an 11yr old Claret to keep up the good work.
I also saw Alex Elder follow the maestro all over the pitch, but I am convinced that was against Stoke City in the 60s.
I realise these memories conflict with much that has gone before on this thread, but I am entirely confident in my facts.

UTC

[levraiclaret]

Wonder recording in post 19, thanks "Too old to be grumpy".

[Walton]

https://tinyurl.com/hmj4ocl

The link is to an audio clip from the BBC archive featuring Arthur from Barrowford recalling his trips to the Turf in the late 1940s/50s and early 60s. Paints a wonderful picture of what life was like in the ground before concrete terracing. He makes reference to Stanley Matthews saying that he tended not to play at Burnley because it wasn’t a ‘glamour fixture’. Whether that is correct or not doesn’t matter; the recording is a fascinating look back at the match day experience 60 years ago when gates of 30- 40000 were not uncommon.

There are some real Lancashire tales in that archive. I remember it from the time it was recorded because my best mate's dad was doing the interviews.

[Clarets4me]

Who do you think was the best Stanley Matthews or Tom Finney ?

Tom Finney for me ..

I think it was Tommy Doherty who replied, when asked about his All time greatest XI...

" There'd be Tom Finney, and I'd have have a think about the rest ! "

[Silkyskills1]

I've finally registered especially to contribute my experience on this topic. Please be kind!
I saw Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool on Turf Moor around 1951. I was about 5yrs old and my dad took me specially to see him. I also got my first football boots from the Co-op on Hammerton St, signed by Stanley. My memory may be a little out, but I have always believed that I got them on the same day, or around that time.
You are correct in saying that he rarely played at Turf Moor, hence the treat for a 5 yr old. I can confirm that at, any rate, this happened prior to 1957, which was the year my dad passed away, leaving an 11yr old Claret to keep up the good work.
I also saw Alex Elder follow the maestro all over the pitch, but I am convinced that was against Stoke City in the 60s.
I realise these memories conflict with much that has gone before on this thread, but I am entirely confident in my facts.

UTC

Don't think Matthews ever played at Turf Moor for Stoke City.

[ElectroClaret]

George Best would have tied em in knots.

[Jimscho]

I've finally registered especially to contribute my experience on this topic. Please be kind!
I saw Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool on Turf Moor around 1951. I was about 5yrs old and my dad took me specially to see him. I also got my first football boots from the Co-op on Hammerton St, signed by Stanley. My memory may be a little out, but I have always believed that I got them on the same day, or around that time.
You are correct in saying that he rarely played at Turf Moor, hence the treat for a 5 yr old. I can confirm that at, any rate, this happened prior to 1957, which was the year my dad passed away, leaving an 11yr old Claret to keep up the good work.
I also saw Alex Elder follow the maestro all over the pitch, but I am convinced that was against Stoke City in the 60s.
I realise these memories conflict with much that has gone before on this thread, but I am entirely confident in my facts.

UTC

It was definitely against Blackpool when Elder followed Matthews all over the pitch as my dad only went to Blackpool v Burnley games for some unknown reason.My dad usually went watching Bury with my Grandad and dragged me along but I saw the light and became a Claret.Late fifties I think my first match against Blackpool.

[winsomeyen]

Not 100% sure but I dont think Matthews played at the Turf for Stoke.
Remember going to Peel Park to watch Mac play for Stoke against Stanley,again not sure whether Mathews played in that game.
There were a lot of clarets at Peel Park that night to watch Sir Jim.

[Wik]

I remember watching Blackpool play on 'Turf around 1951. I was in the Enclosure and had a close-up view of Mathews doing his jiggery pokery on the right wing - astonishing and enjoyable, but I don't recall any end product. Stan Mortensen also springs to mind as playing for Blackpool in that game.
There must have been a 50,000+ gate.

[mdd2]

If Matthews played on the Turf in 60/61 then I did see him play

Pretty sure it was against Elder so you should remember the farce of Alex following Stan all over the park even over to Pools' left flank into Pool's own half. Couldn't have been after 1961 as Matthews went to Stoke under Tony Waddington about 18 months before Jimmy Mac

[mdd2]

I've finally registered especially to contribute my experience on this topic. Please be kind!
I saw Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool on Turf Moor around 1951. I was about 5yrs old and my dad took me specially to see him. I also got my first football boots from the Co-op on Hammerton St, signed by Stanley. My memory may be a little out, but I have always believed that I got them on the same day, or around that time.
You are correct in saying that he rarely played at Turf Moor, hence the treat for a 5 yr old. I can confirm that at, any rate, this happened prior to 1957, which was the year my dad passed away, leaving an 11yr old Claret to keep up the good work.
I also saw Alex Elder follow the maestro all over the pitch, but I am convinced that was against Stoke City in the 60s.
I realise these memories conflict with much that has gone before on this thread, but I am entirely confident in my facts.

UTC

I thought it was against Pool in 1961. Matthews joined Stoke in summer 1961 and played 59 games, 21 in 61-62 season. In 62-63 Stoke were still in Division 2 and in the 63-64 season according to Wiki he did not play after Jan 1964. We beat Stoke 1-0 via an Elder goal later that year, so I think you may be wrong as in the 64-65 season he played just once in Feb 1965.

[BFCBaz]

Then I stand corrected as to the game against Elder. Fair enough. I did hint that my memory may not infallible! I was certainly at the game around 1951 though.

UTC