Not many players have a match named after them, let alone a cup final. It’s an honour bestowed upon Sir Stanley Matthews, the winger behind Blackpool’s 4-3 comeback victory over Bolton Wanderers in 1953. But is there more to the story than the Wizard of the Dribble’s individual genius?
By the time of the 1953 final, Matthews was 38 years old. On signing for the Tangerines in 1947, Matthews was asked by manager Joe Smith, “do you think you can make it for another couple of years?” Two years soon became six, as the England wideman remained an integral part of the squad, even as he approached the big 4-0.
In that time at Bloomfield Road, Matthews twice came close to FA Cup success, taking home runner-up medals in 1948 and 1951. For much of the 1953 final, it looked like more disappointment was on the cards: Bolton took a very early lead through a talisman of their own, Nat Lofthouse, and though Blackpool levelled the scores, the Trotters retook the lead before half time, and extended it shortly after the restart.
However, there were factor other than Matthews that played a huge part in the final outcome. Just eighteen minutes into the game, Bolton left-half Eric Bell tore his hamstring, rendering barely able to walk. Unfortunately, substitutions weren’t permitted until 1965: as a result, Bell continued to limp around the Wembley pitch, a passenger for much of the game.
@nationalfootballmuseum The Matthews Final? 🤔 On this day in 1953, Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool to one of the all-time great FA Cup Final comebacks – but there's so much more to the story. Hat-tricks, torn hammies and an unlikely winner mean it's not entirely about the Wizard of the Dribble… #footballtiktok #footballhistory #footballmuseum #blackpoolfc #stanleymatthews #facupfinal ♬ Western music, disco, funk, hip hop ♫(851229) – Daisuke"D.I"Imai
Incredibly, despite being stricken with injury, it was Bell who scored Bolton’s third, heading in from close range. That injury would take its toll, and Blackpool would work their way back into the game – not just through Matthews, but also via another renowned England international.
Stan Mortensen joined Blackpool during the war, and, like Matthews, was on the losing side in 1948 and 1951, but he had a significant impact on proceedings at the third time of asking. It was Mortensen who equalised in the first half – courtesy of a deflection from Harold Hassell – and then bundled in Matthews’ cross after it was fumbled by ‘keeper Stan Hanson.
Stan’s third goal was of his own making, and was arguably the goal of the game: a thumping last-minute free-kick that flew into the top corner from twenty yards out.
With the game heading for a replay, Matthews got the beating of left-back Ralph Banks again down the right, pulling the ball back into the six-yard box for the arriving Bill Perry to crash home in injury time.
Mortensen’s hat-trick was the first to be scored in a Wembley FA Cup Final – but was not initially acknowledged as such. Initial commentary and reports gave his first goal as an own goal, scored by the unfortunate Hassell, but The FA’s yearbook would later award it to the Blackpool forward.
The final is now known as the Matthews Final, but that didn’t sit particularly well with Matthews himself. A humble man despite his talent and profile, Stanley believed that the moniker did an injustice to the work of his teammates, particularly Mortensen, in turning the tie around.
Mortensen was a Blackpool hero in his own right, scoring 227 goals in 352 games for the Tangerines, as well as 23 goals in 25 England appearances: he even featured for his country at the 1950 World Cup, scoring against Chile in the opening group game and playing alongside Matthews in the defeat to Spain.
When he passed away in 1991, a journalist purportedly said, “They’ll probably call it the Matthews funeral” – a darkly comic allusion to Stan’s achievements being somewhat overlooked in favour of his esteemed teammate.