Stanley Matthews

Early Life

Stanley Matthews was born on February 1, 1915, in Hanley, England. He came from a simple family. His father was a boxer who worked as a barber. Young Stanley loved football from a very early age. He played football in the streets with his friends every day after school.

His father helped him become a better player. Every morning, Stanley had to run and exercise before breakfast. This helped him become very fast and strong. He also practiced with a football for many hours each day.

Starting His Football Career

Stanley joined his first football team when he was just 15 years old. The team was Stoke City. The other players were much older than him, but Stanley was not afraid. He worked very hard and showed everyone that he was special.

People soon saw that Stanley was different from other players. He could run very fast with the ball. He could move past other players easily. Many people said it was like magic when he played football. They started calling him "The Wizard of Dribble."

A Special Way of Playing

Stanley Matthews had a special way of playing football. He played on the right side of the field. He was very good at two things:
- Running fast with the ball
- Moving past other players

When he got the ball, everyone in the stadium would get excited. People knew something special was going to happen. He would move the ball one way, and then quickly go another way. The other players could not stop him. It looked very simple, but it was very hard to do.

A Long and Amazing Career

Stanley Matthews played football for a very long time. Most players stop playing when they are in their early 30s. But Stanley played until he was 50 years old! This was very unusual. He played his last game in 1965.

During his long career, he played for:
- Stoke City (1932-1947)
- Blackpool (1947-1961)
- Stoke City again (1961-1965)

He played 54 games for England's national team. This was also very special because he played for England for 23 years!

The Matthews Final

The most famous game in Stanley's career was in 1953. People call it "The Matthews Final." It was the FA Cup final between Blackpool and Bolton. Blackpool was losing 3-1, but Stanley played amazingly well. He helped his team win 4-3. Everyone said it was one of the best games ever. Stanley was 38 years old in this game, but he played like a young man.

How He Stayed So Good for So Long

Many people wondered how Stanley could play so well for so long. Here are some reasons:
- He never drank alcohol
- He ate very healthy food
- He exercised every day
- He went to bed early
- He took very good care of his body

He was also very careful with money. He saved his money and lived a simple life. Many young players today could learn from his good habits.

Special Awards

Stanley Matthews won many special awards in his life:
- He was the first football player to become a Sir (1965)
- He won the first European Footballer of the Year award (1956)
- The Football Association made a special award just for him
- FIFA gave him a special award for being a great player

His Character

Stanley Matthews was not just a great player. He was also a very good person. He was:
- Very kind to other people
- Always polite
- Never angry on the field
- A good example for young players
- Very modest about his skills

He never got a red card in his whole career. This means he was always fair when he played. He did not try to hurt other players or break the rules.

After Football

When Stanley stopped playing football, he did not stop helping others. He:
- Taught young players how to play better
- Wrote books about football
- Helped poor children in Africa learn football
- Talked to people about the importance of sports

He continued to watch football and help others until he died in 2000. He was 85 years old.

His Legacy

Today, many people remember Stanley Matthews as one of the best football players ever. He showed that:
- Hard work is very important
- Being kind and fair is more important than winning
- Taking care of your body helps you do well
- You can play sports for a long time if you live well
- It's important to help other people

Many modern football players try to copy his good behavior and his healthy way of life. There is a statue of him outside Stoke City's stadium. Every year, many people visit it to remember this great player.

Easy Words to Remember

Here are some important words from the text:
- Dribble: To run with the ball
- Career: The time someone spends doing their job
- Stadium: A big place where people play sports
- Final: The last and most important game
- Legacy: The good things people remember about someone
- Statue: A big model of a person made of metal or stone

True or False Questions
1. Stanley Matthews' father was a football player.
2. He played football until he was 50 years old.
3. He started playing for Stoke City when he was 15.
4. He never won any important games.
5. He drank alcohol to help him play better.
6. He was the first football player to become a Sir.
7. He played for three different teams in his career.
8. He helped children in Africa learn football.
9. He got many red cards during his career.
10. There is a statue of him at Stoke City's stadium.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Where did Stanley Matthews play football first?
a) Blackpool
b) Stoke City
c) Bolton
d) London

2. What did people call him?
a) The King of Football
b) The Fast Runner
c) The Wizard of Dribble
d) The Best Player

3. How many games did he play for England?
a) 23 games
b) 32 games
c) 44 games
d) 54 games

4. What happened in the Matthews Final?
a) Blackpool won 4-3
b) Bolton won 3-1
c) The game was cancelled
d) It was a draw

5. What did he do after he stopped playing football?
a) He became a boxer
b) He stopped working
c) He helped teach young players
d) He moved to Africa

Fill in the Blanks
Complete these sentences using words from the article:
1. Stanley Matthews was born in _______ in 1915.
2. His father was a _______ who worked as a _______.
3. People called him "The Wizard of _______."
4. He played his last game in _______.
5. He won the first _______ Footballer of the Year award.

Answer These Questions
1. How did Stanley Matthews' father help him become a better player?
2. Name three things Stanley did to stay healthy.
3. Why do you think he played football for so long?
4. What made the Matthews Final so special?
5. How did he help other people after he stopped playing?

Match the Words
Match these words with their meanings:
1. Legacy a) A place where people play sports
2. Career b) To run with the ball
3. Stadium c) What people remember about you
4. Dribble d) The time you spend doing your job
5. Final e) The last and most important game

Discussion Questions
1. Do you think it would be hard to play football until you are 50? Why?
2. Why is it important to be kind and fair when playing sports?
3. What can young football players learn from Stanley Matthews?
4. Do you think football players today live like Stanley Matthews did? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think people still remember Stanley Matthews today?

Write About Stanley Matthews
Write short answers (2-3 sentences) about these topics:
1. Describe Stanley Matthews' playing style.
2. Explain why the Matthews Final was important.
3. Write about his healthy habits.
4. Describe what he did after he stopped playing football.