G WILD, Milton: "I would like to send my deepest sympathy at the loss of Sir Stan. I went to the funeral service of another good man, Michael Potts, and was outside the church where all the VIPs were waiting to go in.

"When Stan arrived he did not go to the front, he went to the side of the church and stood in the doorway alone.

"I went to him and stood with him. I had taken a large framed photo of my late husband to show Stan. I asked him if he remembered signing his autograph on the back about 20 years ago and he said yes.

"I told Sir Stan my George had a trial for Stoke at the same time as him and Neil Franklin and Nobby Steele. George was not chosen, but he went to play for Downings Brown Hills. He won two Sentinel Cup medals and the Hanley Cup medal, which I have still got.

"George adored Stan and hardly ever missed a match. He once told me that Stan used to put on football boots a half size less. They were so tight they hurt, but when he changed into his right size and he went on the field for the match they felt so comfortable he didn't put a foot wrong. What memories.

"Now Stan has gone to Heaven my George will be in his team. May God bless you, Stan.''

GEOFF WALTERS, Uttoxeter: "The day Sir Stanley makes his last journey through the streets of Stoke-on-Trent has a special significance for me, being a year to the day since my own dear wife Margaret died.

"As a teenager studying shorthand at the Glegg School in Stoke in 1936, she often recalled that on the word passing round, 'Stan's coming,' the girls all rushed to a window to wave to Stan running through the street below on his way to the Victoria Ground.

"On the night he died I looked at her photograph, saying "Stan's died duck, he's gone'' - in disbelief.

"I feel she already knew.''

TED LANDON, Dresden:

Tribute to a Hero - Sir Stan

of Stoke

So many thousand eager throats have cheered,

In unbelieving wonders at his speed.

Renowned opponents all his feats have feared,

Supreme in skill in footwork's every deed.

Three fame-filled decades long, this barber's son,

And Potters' hero thrilled the whole wide world.

Not even Greece of old had such who won,

Opinions praise where every flag's unfurled.

Fate's friendly hand recalled him to the place,

So dear to him as desperate was their need.

To bring a smile to every Potter's face,

Our Stanley vowed his team to honour lead.

Knight of the magic boots and modest ways,

Eternal thanks from all who bless your days.

Originally composed and published after the 1962-63 promotion season when we lucky ones saw Stan score with a beautifully-placed left-foot shot from the edge of the box after receiving a 50-yard pass from Jimmy McIlroy, thus gaining the vital 2-1 win against Luton Town that secured Stoke City promotion back to Division One.

R G CRITCHLOW, Westlands: "There never was, and never will be, a sportsman so worthy of the title 'Sir'.

"Everything there is to be said, or written, about Sir Stan has been. I would like to say how sad I am that I did not respond to Les Scott's request a few months ago asking for special memories of Sir Stan during his playing days. There were so many memories of the great man. My memory of Sir Stan is the one where Stan would cross the "laced'' ball to Nobby Steele so accurately that when the ball had finished spinning, the "lace'' was always facing away from Nobby's head, so as not to cut or bruise his forehead, as it could be quite painful. This was the skill of Sir Stan. I treasure the memory of seeing the great man play football. God bless you, Sir Stan.''

D J CLEGG, Blurton:

Dear Stan, though I never saw you play,

I felt I was with you every step of the way.

Watching you run up the Golden Mile,

Whatever the weather, always wearing a smile.

Forget Beckham, Flowers and all the rest,

In our hearts and minds Stan we know you're the best.

Now Sir Stan God's had you spied,

Because you're the trickiest angel on the side. In one way Stan we're all just like you,

Proud to be a Potter tall and true.

SYD BAILEY, Tunstall: "Many readers have written in praise of the footballing skills of Sir Stanley Matthews, but I should like to pay tribute to his qualities as a man.

"In 1985 I was involved, along with Jackie Mudie and Peter Buxton, in arranging Stan's 70th birthday ball in the King's Hall and I had several telephone conversations with him.

"Subsequently I met him several times over the years and was always impressed by his modest, easy naturalness. After the unveiling of the Reginald Mitchell statue, at which ceremony he was a VIP, travelling to the event in a special coach with other official guests, I was walking towards the Central Library when I heard a tapping noise - and there were Stan and Mila at the coach window waving to me.

"On another occasion I had lunch with him and Mila, Mr and Mrs Max Hallas and Mr and Mrs Peter Buxton, at the Potters' Club in Stoke. Because of a prior engagement, my wife was unable to accompany me. A couple of days later she received a large bouquet inscribed "With love from Mila and Stan Matthews''.

"Quite apart from his greatness as a footballer he was unique and we shall not see his like again.''

ROY FROST, Burslem: "There will always be lively discussion and debate as to who was the world's greatest footballer, but there can never be an answer.

"The subject is too complex. There are so many various positions on the field of play to consider. Pele, Best, Cruyff, Maradona, could all be offered as reasonable suggestions, but I don't think there will ever be any argument that Sir Stan was the world's greatest winger.

"On a personal note, I feel honoured and privileged to have something in common with the great man. In 1951 I won the same Stoke-on-Trent City Schools Sprint Championship that he had held some 20 years previously.

"There the comparison ends, because I remained a mere mortal, like the rest of us, where he was and will always be remembered as a larger than life super-hero whose cherished memory will remain with this city, and worldwide, for ever.''

First Published: March 3 2000