For the past 30 years I have been following Blackpool and dreaming of the day when they play Liverpool again. After today’s events that day is almost upon us, next season it will be ‘Pool vs ‘Pool home and away. Our last game against Blackpool was back in 1971, even I was too young to remember.
The only British football player to be knighted was Sir Stanley Matthews, a Blackpool legend who will always be remembered for their heydays in the 1950s. Matthew’s ended his football career at the age of 55 with Hiberians, not the Scottish outfit but the team from my native Malta. My late father was a Blackpool fan and a huge admirer of Sir Stanley whom he met several times. Even my brother’s name is Stanley, my mum claims otherwise but I am convinced that my dad named him after his favourite player.
I am sure that my dad and Sir Stanley are both looking down and smiling tonight, however I must warn them, although we are not the force we once were, we still can punish you. Just focus on taking points away from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Manchester City and we will smile back ;-)
Y.N.W.A.
-Antoine
antoine@empireofthekop.com
Antoine, believe it or not, I once actually played football with Stanley Matthews! True! As you know he lived in Malta for some time and once came to Stella Maris College. He was in in 60’s, wearing a tracksuit and a beenie, he basically stood in the middle of the pitch distributing balls with incredible precision. Non of us, at that age, ever realised we were playing football with a living legend, but these things happen only once in a lifetime for us common mortals.
LOL we have more in common Tonio, I am an ex-Stelmarian too :-)
Hi Antoine – I share your sentiments about Stanley Matthews. I’m a film/tv director and we’re planning a film that touches on this subject at the moment. In my match report (see SPIRIT OF THE GAME on Facebook) I recalled the moment I was standing at the Millenium stadium in 2006 when, at 3-2, West ham had ‘won’ the FA cup. You being a Liverpool supporter (and no doubt you were at the game) you’ll know the rest. So as Blackpool clung on at 3-2 I had flashbacks to that game. Thankfully Cardiff had no Gerrard to help them out. But, like you, I’m so thrilled the other ‘Pool are back in the top flight after 40 years. And, as well as shooting our film there, I’m looking forward to a nice day out at the seaside when the Claret & Blue Irons descend…All the best – Suri.
Someone please stop the horns! I tried to give the World Cup a chance, but I’d even turn off the Superbowl if there was the same annoying background noise.