I’m not going to go on about Sunday’s magnificent World Cup final, just to say that the most popular game in the universe got its perfect conclusion.
A lot of the talk beforehand was whether Lionel Messi would top his terrific career with the one honour to elude him.
It may be a long time ago but I can only remember one similar occasion when the vast majority were behind one particular team because of a member of that side.
Stanley Matthews was the most famous footballer of his day but back in 1953 at 38 it looked as though this would be his last chance to win an FA Cup winner’s medal as his team Blackpool had been beaten in two previous finals.
There was a groundswell of support for Blackpool around the country for that very reason and against Bolton on that day it’s fair to say the majority of the 100,000 crowd were cheering for the Tangerines.
My parents had bought a television for the Queen’s Coronation so it was the first Cup Final I had seen.
Perched on the floor with a mate from up the street, John Winham, we saw Matthews inspire the Seasiders to a thrilling 4-3 win over their Lancashire rivals.
Matthews was a dribbler, excellent close control and then despite his years, capable of a quick dart away from his man and providing inch perfect crosses.
The match – always known since as the Matthews final – had seen Bolton lead 2-1 at half-time and in the 55th minute they added a third.
Then came the inspirational fight-back, inspired by Matthews, which ended in a dramatic victory.
It might have been forgotten in the mists of time that Stan Mortenson actually scored a hat-trick, pulling Blackpool level with two minutes left.
Then Matthews produced a trademark run and cross with seconds remaining which ended with Bill Perry thumping home the winner.
It became the most played goal on tv for a number of years – an iconic moment in 1950s sport.
Even my mother, who was not particularly a football fan (although she enjoyed cricket) was clapping and cheering loudly.
It was one of those moments when the sporting population got what it wanted for sentimental reasons alone.
Just as the great Messi was raised aloft with the trophy in Qatar, Matthews was chaired round Wembley by his team-mates.
In actual fact Matthews is the only player to be knighted while still playing the game and 1953 was nowhere near his swansong.
Twelve years later he played his last Football League game for Stoke City at the age of 50.
The final postscript – in November 2014 Matthews’ winning medal was sold for £220,000. The match ball fetched £5,250 in 2018.
