‘One of the finest players in the world'

The Vice President of Stoke City Football Club, Alex Humphreys, and his wife, Brenda, paid tribute yesterday in San Agustin to the late Sir Stanley Matthews, who died on Wednesday. Mr Humphreys said yesterday “Sir Stanley had been a friend of mine for more than 50 years. I consider him to be one of the finest players in the world. He had an incredible ability and he was always devoted to watching his diet and fitness. Nat Lofthouse was once asked how he enjoyed playing for England, he replied with Matthews and Finney on each wing a school-boy could have scored.” Mr. Humphreys was informed of the President of Stoke City Football Club's death late on Wednesday night and he was naturally devastated. He is flying home to England on Monday so that he can attend the funeral on Friday. Mourners will gather at the Britannia Football Ground (home of Stoke City) at 11am and the funeral procession will then tour through the city. The actual funeral service is at 1pm at the Stoke Parish Church. Up to 900 people will attend; it is being organised by Stoke City Football Club.