1932 – He signed professional terms with Stoke City.

1934 – His international debut came scoring for the England side which beat Wales 4-0. Shortly after this, he was condemned in the Daily Mail.

1938 – Matthews asked for a transfer, causing a public outcry in Stoke. More than 3,000 fans attended a protest meeting and a further 1,000 marched outside the ground with placards. Matthews stayed.

1947 – He fell out with Stoke and was transferred to Blackpool on the 10th of May for £11,500 at the age of 32.

1948 – He won the inaugural Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.

1950 – Matthews only played in one World Cup game.

1953 – His link-up with Stan Mortensen was very profitable, and Matthews won an FA Cup winners medal a match subsequently dubbed the ‘Matthews Final’ in which, despite Mortensen’s hat-trick

1956 – Matthews won the first-ever European Footballer of the Year award, and the following year was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s honours list.

1961 – He rejoined his hometown club Stoke City.

1965 – He remained with Stoke City until the end of his playing career, appearing in his final game on the 6th of February.

         – He became the first football player to be knighted for services to sport.

1981 – He even played in a charity match at Grangemouth.

1922 – He received a FIFA Gold Merit Order.

2000 – Died on the 23rd of February.