Stanley Matthews Stanley Matthews Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE (1 February 1915 – 23 February 2000) was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the British game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing football, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. Matthews' nicknames included "The Wizard of the Dribble" and "The Magician". Matthews kept fit enough to play at the top level until he was 50 years old. Matthews was also the oldest player
James Lang (footballer) James Lang (footballer) James J. "Reddie" Lang (born March 1851) was a Scottish footballer who is generally considered to be the first professional player. Jimmy Lang's playing career started with Glasgow Eastern, from where he moved to Clydesdale and then Third Lanark. While with Clydesdale he played in the first ever Scottish Cup final. He also became involved with the Glasgow vs. Sheffield association matches and at the 1876 meeting he caught the attention of The Wednesday board. They subsequently invited him to play for their team. He was not paid by the club but instead gained employment with a