POTTERIES legends Sir Stanley Matthews and Phil Taylor last night became the first stars to be inducted into the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame.

The city council honour will recognise stars who, through their sporting excellence, have made the region proud.

Few, if any, have done so as remarkably as Stoke City and England great Matthews and 14-time world darts champion Taylor.

Article continues below

See highlights from the awards ceremony

Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, councillor Derek Capey, said he was delighted to begin the hall of fame with two such legendary sportsmen.

He said: "We feel it is important we recognise the achievements of our sporting greats.

"By creating a City of Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame, we are doing just that and in a way that will be recorded for ever more.

"Sir Stan's achievements in football and also as an ambassador for this city are unparalleled. He is an absolute legend.

"In footballing terms he is one of the greatest players ever to have played the game, a lad born in Hanley who had an FA Cup final named after him, played in the World Cup and became a knight.

See the interview with Phil Taylor

"His name is known in every corner of the globe. His work in the townships of Soweto, where he would go and coach young kids in politically-troubled times, illustrated his strength and courage. It is a privilege to be able to honour his achievements in this way.

"Phil Taylor is another legend known throughout the world. He is the greatest darts player of all time. There is no doubt about that.

"Wherever he goes he always supports Stoke-on-Trent and his record in his chosen profession is almost unbelievable. Fourteen world titles! How many champions in any sport have a record like that? And he keeps on getting better.

"Phil does a lot of work in and around the city for good causes and his success acts as an inspiration to all. Both he and Sir Stan are the right choices to be the first sporting stars to enter our Hall of Fame."

Sir Stan was born in Hanley in 1915 and played for England schoolboys before joining Stoke City at the age of 14. He made his league debut in 1932 and won the first of his 54 England caps in 1934.

After moving to Blackpool in 1947, he helped them beat Bolton 4-3 in the 1953 FA Cup final, a game which became known as the "Matthews Final" after Sir Stan inspired his team to come back from 3-1 down to lift the trophy.

When he rejoined Stoke City, in 1961, he was 46. His return saw gates rise from 9,000 to 36,000, and the following year City were promoted to the First Division.

He retired in 1965, five days after his 50th birthday.

He was named Footballer of the Year in 1948 and 1963, and European Footballer of the Year in 1956.

He was knighted in 1965, and coached around the world, as well as becoming Stoke City's president before his death in 2000.

Taylor, aged 48, from Burslem, left school at 15 to become an £8-a-week sheet metal worker.

He then thought long and hard about packing in his job as an engineer when, at 26, he decided to play darts professionally.

But that was an inspired decision because he has dominated the sport since winning his first world title in 1990, when he hammered his mentor Eric Bristow, himself a five-time world champion, 6-1 in the final.

"The Power" won his 14th title in January by thrashing Raymond van Barneveld 7-1 in the final.

Taylor's 110.94 three-dart average in the final was the highest in the 16-year history of the PDC championships.