How fitting then, that the Seasiders face his hometown club Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
Take a look through our gallery of pictures from the funeral, which was held on March 3, 2000, after the wizard of dribble had passed away at the age of 85.
7. The hearse containing the body of Sir Stanley Matthews passes by crowds of Stoke City fans inside the Brittania Stadium during the tribute to the late Sir Stanley Matthews at Stoke City's stadium, Friday March 3, 2000. Around 100,000 people are expected to line the route of Stoke City legend Sir Stanley's final journey through his beloved city. The funeral cortege will be winding its way through the Potteries to St Peter's Church. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: Phil Noble. **EDI**
The hearse containing the body of Sir Stanley Matthews passes by crowds at the formerly named Brittania Stadium. Photo: PHIL NOBLE
8. A Stoke City fans young and old pay their own tribute to the late Sir Stanley Matthews at Stoke City's Britannia stadium, Friday March 3, 2000. Around 100,000 people are expected to line the route of Stoke City legend Sir Stanley's final journey through his beloved city. The funeral cortege will begin from the Britannia Stadium at 11.30am before winding its way through the Potteries to St Peter's Church. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: Phil Noble. **EDI**
Stoke fans young and old pay their own tribute to the late Sir Stanley Matthews. Photo: PHIL NOBLE
9. A packed St Peter's church in Stoke, Friday March 3, 2000. Former England full-back Jimmy Armfield led the tributes at Sir Stanley Matthews' funeral in Stoke today. Thousands of mourners stood silently outside St Peter's church as the service was relayed to them via loudspeakers. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: John Giles. **EDI** PA POOL PHOTO
A packed St Peter's Church in Stoke. Many mourners stood outside and listened to the service over loud speakers. Photo: JOHN GILES
10. The congregation pay their respects to Sir Stanley Matthews in St Peter's church in Stoke, Friday March 3, 2000. Former England full-back Jimmy Armfield led the tributes at Sir Stanley's funeral in Stoke today. Thousands of mourners stood silently outside St Peter's church as the service was relayed to them via loudspeakers. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: John Giles. **EDI** PA POOL PIX
The congregation pay their respects to Sir Stanley Matthews in St Peter's Church. Jimmy Armfield led the tributes. Photo: JOHN GILES
11. Gordon Banks watches as Sir Stanley Matthews' funeral cortege leaves St Peter's church in Stoke, Friday March 3, 2000. Former England full-back Jimmy Armfield led the tributes at Sir Stanley's funeral in Stoke today. Thousands of mourners stood silently outside St Peter's church as the service was relayed to them via loudspeakers. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: David Jones. **EDI**
Former England and Stoke goalkeeper Gordon Banks wipes away a tear. Photo: David Jones
12. Sir Bobby Charlton, as Sir Stanley Matthews' funeral cortege leaves St Peter's church in Stoke, Friday March 3, 2000. Former England full-back Jimmy Armfield led the tributes at Sir Stanley's funeral in Stoke today. Thousands of mourners stood silently outside St Peter's church as the service was relayed to them via loudspeakers. See PA story SOCCER Matthews. PA photo: Phil Noble. **EDI**
Sir Bobby Chorlton was also among those to pay their respects. Photo: Phil Noble