The Way it Was by Stanley Matthews

The Way it Was by Stanley Matthews

Stanley Matthews was the most popular footballer of his era, the man who epitomised a generation of legendary players: Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse, Billy Wright and many more. He was the first footballer ever to be knighted, the first European Footballer of the Year (at 41), and he played in the top division until he was 50 - and he will be forever remembered for his performance in the Matthews FA Cup final of 1953, when he inspired Blackpool to victory over Bolton. But THE WAY IT WAS is not just the fascinating memoir of a great footballer, it is the remarkable story of an extraordinary life. For the last months of his life, he was working on his definitive autobiography, finishing it just weeks before he died.

There is a heartfelt, elegiac quality [to] THE WAY IT WAS.. It is only a pity he is not here to see it published - Chris Maume, Independent

The book is an appropriate and nearly always engrossing chronicle of an illustrious career, and good to have - Ian Hamilton, Sunday Telegraph

Especially rewarding, though, are Stan's descriptions of his technical perfectionism - Brian Glanville, Sunday Times

A fascinating and amusing insight into the inner workings of football during its golden era - Saul David, Daily Telegraph

THE WAY IT WAS is a ticket to a different era, when the game wasn't saturated with money and men like Sir Stanley upheld sporting ideals - Mike Pattenden, Times

Brings vividly to life some of the greatest games of the time and features his perceptive analysis of the characters who illuminated the age - Independent

The story of one of the greatest footballers of all time ... is told in great detail and with an unexpected sense of humour. It is his vivid memory that makes THE WAY IT WAS such a good read - FourFourTwo

A gracefully crafted autobiography filled with entertaining anecdotes reflecting an age when the game was uncorrupted by greed and hooliganism - Birmingham Post

Stanley Matthews was born in 1915 and began his career at Stoke City. He made his England debut in 1934 and went on to win 54 caps by 1957. Transferred to Blackpool, he finally won his only trophy in 1953 at the age of 38. He finished his career at Stoke, retiring from the game in 1965, when he was knighted, then travelling the world as a football ambassador. He died in Newcastle-under-Lyme in February 2000.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780747271086
ISBN 10	0747271089
Title	The Way it Was
Author	Stanley Matthews
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Headline Publishing Group
Year published	2000-04-03
Number of pages	448
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.