The Sir Stanley Matthews Lounge, at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, has been turned into a shrine to the former Stoke, Blackpool and England star.

It will be officially opened on Friday, September 26, by City chairman Peter Coates  along with former England stars Sir Trevor Brooking, Jimmy Armfield and Gordon Banks.

Sir Trevor is representing the Football Association, while also in attendance will be former Potters stars Denis Smith, Terry Conroy, Eric Skeels, Tony Allen, John King, Don Whiston and George Berry, along with current City manager Tony Pulis.

Sir Stan's story is told through exhibits which include his winners' medal from the 1953 FA Cup final, the famous 'Matthews Final', his CBE medal, England caps, his 1963 Footballer of the Year Trophy and a FIFA Order of Merit.

The collection of items, many loaned by Sir Stan's daughter Jean Gough, make the museum unique and the only one of its kind in the world.

driving force

The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation - the charity set up in Sir Stan's name after his death eight years ago to raise money to help youngsters participate in sport - is the driving force behind the exciting project.

Says Foundation chairman Nigel Johnson: "Jean, who is the Foundation's patron, asked if we could think of a suitable use for all the mementoes she has of her father's career. She said she would like to share them with the public and from there the idea of the museum was born.

"Now, the great story of one of the world's finest ever footballers and sporting ambassadors is being told in one room."

Added Jean: "I am delighted we are able to put on display all these things for people to enjoy.

"It is very fitting this should be happening in Stoke-on-Trent, the city where my father was born and raised and returned to live his final years.

"Wherever he travelled in the world he always thought of Stoke-on-Trent as home and there can be no finer place in which to tell his life story."

Special security cabinets have been custom-made to house some of the priceless exhibits and the main exhibit, the 1953 FA Cup winner's medal, has been loaned by TV personality Nick Hancock, a Stoke City fan.

He has also loaned one of Sir Stan's 54 England caps, won against Italy in 1934, the 'Battle of Highbury' clash.

It's the second major project undertaken by the Foundation, which eight years ago commissioned the magnificent Sir Stanley Matthews statue which stands adjacent to the Britannia Stadium.

The Foundation now raises money to provide grant assistance to sporting youngsters of all abilities, as well as supporting a unique and hugely-successful scheme run in tandem with Stoke-on-Trent College which provides free sports coaching for children in North Staffordshire schools.