SPORTING MEMORY: April 1963 – Real Madrid visit Stoke for a friendly match
IT was a Wednesday night in Stoke – and then five-times European Cup winners Real Madrid showed they could cut it against hosts Stoke City. The Spanish giants were visiting the city in April, 1963 as part of Stoke’s centenary celebrations.
They had some global stars on show, including legends such as Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
But Stoke had a world famous player of their own. Winger
Stanley
Matthews was then aged 48 and on his way to leading City back to the top flight. Stoke full-back Tony Allen later remembered the game in an interview with The Sentinel.
In particular he was asked about taking on Di Stefano, who scored 216 goals for Madrid in a stellar career with the club from 1953 to 1964.
He said: “That was certainly one of the highlights of my career.
He was a very intelligent player, getting into positions you wouldn’t thought were possible. I would say he was an all-time great. You certainly don’t see any like him anymore.”
The game finished 2-2 thanks to goals for the home side from Dennis Viollet and Jimmy Mcilroy. Puskas and Felix Ruiz scored for the Spanish team in front of more than 45,000 fans at the Victoria Ground.
Tony added: “I remember standing there, ready to go on the pitch, and thinking. We could get a right pasting here. I didn’t know what to expect. I knew they were legendary players, but I had never seen any of them play.
“These days I watch Spanish football all the time on television, but back then that game was the first time I had seen the Real Madrid players.
“In the game, they were brilliant. Their players barely had to lift their foot off the
ball to send it 40 yards straight to the foot of a team-mate. They were a hell of a side, but we played pretty well too.”
As part of the match, Madrid were sent home with a matador and bull made by Royal Doulton. Stoke also kept one for themselves.
It had cost City £10,000 to bring them to the Potteries for the match.