PHIL BLURTON: "Being an exiled Potter in South Devon, I would like to give my condolences to Sir Stan's family and also to say that I was very sad on hearing the news. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see him play, although of course I have seen a great deal on TV and video.

"I was always very proud of the fact that I had the chance to meet the great man on many occasions when he mingled with the crowd on the Boothen End, where on one occasion he made my son's day by autographing his match programme.

"He will be sorely missed by all. God bless, Sir Stan, you were the greatest

player ever to play for this club and country. I hope St Peter's eleven realise what a star they have acquired.''

MARTIN and SUSAN RATCLIFFE, Uttoxeter: "Sir Stanley Matthews, who was a great hero, will always be in our hearts and minds forever.''

GEORGE CLANCY: "Thanks, Stan, for the pleasure you gave to a Stoke City fan. God bless you.''

C DUTTON, Hartshill: "Although I am now retired from work at the City General Hospital as a hospital porter after 16 years service, I met Sir Stanley at the hospital while on a noon shift 12 months ago.

"He took his wife into hospital with a slight heart complaint and she was admitted on to ward 80, My friend and I took Lady Matthews on to the ward and had a chat with Stanley about his footballing days at the Victoria Ground.

"I am an old Stoke supporter and hardly missed a game during the pre-war years of his career. It was a great honour for me and my work friends to have met him and I will always treasure this moment.

"I would like to say that he was a perfect gentleman at his soccer skills, both at league and international level, as there is no-one in today's game that would match him.

"He was truly one of the greatest players the world has ever seen. May his name live forever in the Hall of Fame.''

THE BAILIE FAMILY: "My mum took me to my first Stoke City match when I was 11- years-old. Stanley Matthews had come home to the Potteries and we were playing Huddersfield Town. The atmosphere was electric and when Stan ran out on to the Victoria Ground pitch, I thought my eardrums would burst.

"It soon become evident why Stan was loved so much as he twisted and turned, going past players as if they did not exist. Two full-backs marked him most of the time with the centre-half for back up. Did they stop him? No. Stoke won 3-0 and I was smitten.

"However, my fondest memory of him was some 30 odd years later. I went to book a match and a meal for my parents Jean and Michael's golden wedding anniversary in Stoke's last year at our beloved Victoria Ground.

"I entered the club shop and froze, as there before me wearing tracksuit and baseball cap was our president, Sir Stan. 'Hello, Stan,' I said with gaping mouth, "where do I book a matchday meal?'

'Come on son, follow me,' he said. Already in his 80s, he skipped up a flight of stairs. I trailed in his wake like a despairing full-back - and me half his age!

"He delivered me to the promotions office and off he went.

"On the day of my parents' golden wedding anniversary they were taken to the Stanley Matthews Suite, had a nice meal and watched Stoke lose 3-0 to Sheffield United, but it did not spoil the day because in marched Sir Stan to have his photograph taken with them and present them with a matchball signed by all the players - two things they will always treasure.

"Me, I never did get his autograph, but it is etched on my heart forever.

"What a player, what a man, God bless you, Sir Stan.''

DOREEN ROBERTS, Longton: "I met Stan and shook his hand for my late husband. He understood. It was a magic moment for me. Thank-you, Stan, God bless you.''

ROBERT and HARRY HAZELDINE:

Sir Stanley Matthews was the best. He always wore a red and white vest.

Stoke City was his team and he played just like a dream.

He kicked the ball no keeper could catch, he will always be man of the match.

B MOUNTFORD, Bucknall:

He Never Let The Side Down

SIR Stanley Matthews the king of football is dead,

This is what the newspaper said,

But Stanley never sought a crowd,

He loved the game, he was so proud

To show his skills, to please the crowd.

And when he journeyed far away,

In whatever country he would play,

His hand was shook,

His fame had spread,

He had a name he could not shed,

And this man never let anyone down,

He was the finest, he deserved his crown.

Although he's gone his mould is cast,

His legacy is here to last,

The Potteries' most famous son,

Across the world a million hearts he won,

Whatever scarf, another fan.

He's gone, it saddens to say,

Another match, this time away,

So simply said to this fine man,

Thanks for all you did,

God bless you Stan.

K JACKSON, Farnborough:

The Wizard

THE like of Stanley Matthews

We shall never see again,

In ball control, a wizard,

He, the icon of all men.

I have seen him feinting, swerving

Sending players the wrong way.

There were those who sent him sprawling,

Even kicked him where he lay.

But thoughts of retaliation

Did not figure in his game,

Master of each situation,

On himself he never brought shame.

Yes, 'The Gunners', in the past

My tears have flowed quite freely,

As one, two, three men he's passed

The tears were not those of sadness.

They expressed my sheer delight,

And to see his pinpoint passes,

They just set my face alight.

People ask 'Could he have flourished

In today's game, played so well?'

And I answer, nothing doubting,

'Course he could - and still excel!'

From the field of life now departs

A true gentleman we've known,

Who has lived in so many hearts,

And whose skills are widely known.

Now "The Potteries'' are quiet,

But I say, let us, aloud,

Shout and cheer this stunning wizard,

Whose memory makes us proud.

First Published: March 3 2000