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.
13. Football legends (left to right) Nat Lofthouse, Sir Tom Finney and Sir Bobby Charlton outside 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: Phil Noble. **EDI**
Legends (left to right) Nat Lofthouse, Sir Tom Finney and Sir Bobby Charlton outside St Peter's Church. Photo: Phil Noble
14. Football legends (left to right) Sir Bobby Charlton, Nat Lofthouse and Sir Tom Finney in 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**
Sir Bobby Charlton, Nat Lofthouse and Sir Tom Finney inside St Peter's Church. Photo: JOHN GILES
15. Escorting Sir Stanley Matthews' coffin from St Peter's church in Stoke, former football stars Sir Bobby Charlton (foreground), Nat Lofthouse (centre), Sir Tom Finney (rear right) and Gordon Banks (rear left), 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** - funeral
Jimmy Armfield helps escort the coffin with help from Sir Bobby Charlton, Nat Lofthouse, Sir Tom Finney and Gordon Banks. Photo: JOHN GILES
16. Crowds watch as the cortege drives around the Britannia Stadium FUNERAL OF SIR STANLEY MATTHEWS
Crowds watch as the cortege drives around the Britannia Stadium. Photo: DAVE NELSON