Hardcover with dust jacket
Wembley '53
The Complete Story of the Matthews Final"
In the aftermath of World War Two, as Britain emerged from the shadows of conflict, football became more than just a game—it transformed into the nation's heartbeat. In his vivid account of Blackpool's golden era, Prestage masterfully captures this zeitgeist, painting a portrait of a seaside town whose football club would become legendary.
The author's meticulous research shines through as he describes how the Tangerines, resplendent in their distinctive orange kit, became one of English football's most captivating sides. Blackpool possessed a devastating attacking force that terrorised defences throughout the land, led by the magical Stanley Matthews weaving his spells down the right wing and Stan Mortensen's clinical finishing.
Prestage's narrative particularly excels when recounting the build-up to those three memorable Wembley appearances. The heartbreak of 1948, when Manchester United prevailed, only served to strengthen the resolve of a team that refused to be denied their place in history. The author vividly depicts every moment of the remarkable 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers in his detailed account of the 1953 FA Cup Final, now forever known as 'The Matthews Final'.
Through carefully selected testimonies from players and supporters alike, Prestage reconstructs the electric atmosphere of Bloomfield Road during those heady days. His description of the relationship between Matthews and Mortensen is particularly enlightening, revealing how two of England's finest footballers combined to devastating effect.
The author's balanced approach doesn't shy away from addressing what might have been. Despite their attacking prowess, the League Championship somehow eluded Blackpool, with the runner-up position in 1955-56 representing their closest brush with the title. Prestage analyses this conundrum thoughtfully, suggesting that perhaps their cavalier style, while thrilling for spectators, occasionally proved their undoing in the gruelling league campaign.
What emerges from these pages is not merely a football story but a social history of a town and era when the beautiful game truly captured the nation's imagination. Prestage's attention to detail extends beyond the pitch, encompassing the broader context of post-war Britain, when football provided a welcome escape from the lingering effects of rationing and austerity.
Through firsthand accounts and contemporary reports, the author brings to life an era when footballers travelled to matches on public transport and lived in terraced houses alongside their supporters. It's this ground-level perspective that gives the book its authentic voice and makes it such a valuable historical document.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd
Published: September 1, 2000
Price: £19.99
Hardcover: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1859831982
ISBN-13: 978-1859831984
Dimensions: 248 x 178 (mm)
Lavishly illustrated
Postage Weight: 650g
NEW - MINT - PRISTINE - NEVER BEEN OPENED
