1915- . English footballer who played for
Stoke City, Blackpool, and England. He played
nearly 700 Football League games, and won 54
international caps. He was the first European
Footballer of the Year 1956. An outstanding
right-winger, he had the nickname `the Wizard
of the Dribble' because of his ball control.
At the age of 38 he won an FA Cup Winners'
medal when Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers
4-3, Matthews scoring three goals in the last
20 minutes. He was the first Footballer of
the Year in 1948 (again in 1963), and the
first footballer to be knighted. He continued
to play first-division football after the age
of 50. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Football League appearances: 698, goals: 71
International appearances: 54, goals: 11 FA
Cup: 1953
Footballer of the Year: 1948, 1963
European Footballer of the Year: 1956.