VIDEO: Hanley school marks Stoke City legend Sir Stanley Matthews' birthday in style
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren celebrated what would have been Sir Stanley Matthews' 98th birthday with a special assembly.
Youngsters from the late Stoke City and England legend's former school, St Luke's CofE Primary in Hanley, have raised more than £370 for charity.
-
RED AND WHITE ARMY: Sir Stan's daughter Jean Gough with pupils from St Luke's Primary. Picture: Steve Bould
The celebrations came as work began on an animated film about the 71-goal Wizard of the Dribble's life.
The film, named 'Spirit of the Game' tells a story of the influence Sir Stanley has had over generations. Pupils at St Luke's were allowed to wear sports gear as part of yesterday's event and many wore Stoke City shirts.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
They each donated £1 to the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation.
Headteacher Mark Barlow, aged 40, said: "We use Sir Stan as an inspirational figure.
"He was a local boy who went on to be a legend. It proves to the children that they can be whatever they want to be."
Meanwhile, 'Spirit of the Game' will be directed by BAFTA award-winning English animator Tony White and based on the novel of the same name, by author Geoff Francis.
The plot is all about role models, and delves into themes of racism and aggression in modern football
Fictional teenage player Jamie Steel, who is embroiled in violence and hatred, encounters the ghostly presence Sir Stanley, who teaches him a better way to live and play.
Sir Stanley's daughter, Jean Gough, aged 74, said: "I'm terribly excited my father will be seen by the world again.
"He came from a time where the media was not like today. So much of what he did and said wasn't reported."
Jean went along to St Luke's for the school's special day yesterday.
She said: "It is fantastic that so many people celebrate today. The children all raised money and got a badge. Sport plays such a big part in our lives."
Yesterday's event came as a pair of Sir Stanley's football boots were identified at a museum.
The boots had been at the Hitchin Museum in Hertfordshire since the 1980s, when it inherited items from the town's former football museum.
But their origin was unknown until staff found paperwork and photographs that verified the owner.
Curator David Hodges said: "Everything matched up perfectly."
Sir Stanley was the first professional footballer to be knighted and his career spanned 33 years. The size seven leather boots date from the 1950s.
The makers of Spirit of the Game are offering people the chance to appear as an animated character as part of the story, in exchange for donations towards the movie's production. Visit www.spiritofthegamemovie.com
Stoke City legend Stanley Matthews is made Citizen of the Century
Video courtesy of Ray Johnson.
5 Comments
by Pottersruleok
Sunday, February 03 2013, 1:38PM
“What a great story (and video) for a great man !”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 02 2013, 11:04PM
“Matthews played his best football with Stoke City... period. He put an extra 10,000 on the away gate in the thirties.... ever likely he started to want a bigger piece of the cake, leading to him falling out with Bob McGrory... and eventual move to Blackpool after the war.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 02 2013, 11:01PM
“I was there on the same day behind the Boothen Goal too -and I fully agree -he'd still got it -albeit without the speed -and robustness to shake 'em off when they ever got a bit frustrated -by his 'magic'.
We can imagine what a spectacle he must have been in his twenties -1935 to 1945) -especially in the late 1930s before the War came along to put a temporary halt to 'competitive' football; the wartime games being all 'friendly'.”
by stokepotter
Saturday, February 02 2013, 9:51PM
“He was also an inspiration when he returned to Stoke during his final playing years. I was in the Boothen End on the day he returned and though he obviously was much slower than in his earlier years, his skills were still something to marvel at and for his opponents to be mesmerised by. Good old Stan.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 02 2013, 9:09PM
“Watched him from behind the Boothen End Goal before being sold to Blackpool.
He was 31 then and still enjoying his best years -with the 'turn of speed' -from a standing start -electrifying over 10 yards, which left his oponents sprawling in his wake; that 'turn of speed' which leaves a sportsman as he enters his 30s and especilly his 40s (to say nothing of his 50s!)
In other words -Stan's best years were in the 1930s and 40s -before going to Blackpool... and when he won most of his England Caps. He was still good, yes, after joining Blackpool and good enough to win a Cup Winners medal with them in the famous 'Matthews Final' of '53; -but it was the advent of 'mass television audiences' -gathered round 'better-off neighbours' 9" 'black and white' sets' that played a bigger part in securing his name in the annals of football history, on that famous day -than did his still impressive ability at the tender age of 38 on the famous Wembley turf of that fantastic 'celebratory day'.”