1950s Stanley Matthews boots

Boots worn by Stanley Matthews in the 1950s.

The 'wizard of the dribble' would often wear leaden boots when out on his Blackpool beach runs; when he changed into his football boots before games, it made his feet feel lighter and gave him the impression of additional pace. T

his was just one of the routines that Matthews steadfastly stuck to; others included teetotalism and a strict diet. It certainly worked; Stanley played until the age of 50!