Description:Born in Hanley in 1915, Matthews attended Wellington Road School where his skills at football led to an appearance for England at the age of 14.
He turned professional aged 17, for a salary of £5 per week during the playing season, with a £1 bonus for a win. His debut for Stoke City was against Bury, but he did not have a regular first team place until 1933.
He won his first full England cap at 19 against Wales and was to go on to win a total of 84. In 1947 he transferred to Blackpool, for whom in 1953 he played in what was to be known as the Matthews Final, when his skills won his team the trophy.
Moving back to Stoke City in 1961, he inspired a revival at the club until his retirement in 1965, in which year he was knighted.
Despite a spell at Port Vale as general manager and commitments in South Africa, Matthews continued to live in the city and maintained close links with the club until his death in 2000.