Brighton and Hove Albion fans visit home of legend

The statue of Sir Stanely at the Brittania Stadium has three figures depicting the Blackpool, Stoke and England legend at different stages of his career

Brighton and Hove Albion fans wondering what will adorn their new American Express Community Stadium may get some handy hints this weekend.

As the team face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in the fifth round of the FA cup, a statue to Sir Stanley Matthews will be in full view to supporters.

The "The Wizard of Dribble" played for Stoke City the 1930's before being sold to Blackpool. He returned to the Potters in 1961, taking attendances from 8,000 to 36,000, before finally hanging up his boots at the age of 50 years and 5 days.

Sir Stan's skills earned him the nickname the Wizard of Dribble

Football commentator and founder of the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation, Nigel Johnson, witnessed his testimonial: "People had come from all over the world, there were TV cameras from corner flag to corner flag.

"Puskas was there, all the big names came and he was chaired off the pitch. I was crying; it was so emotional to see this man. Control, pace, he was still fast at over 50 years old.

"There would be 2 or 3 players around him but he'd leave them with a body swerve. He was a maestro but also a gentleman."

Sir Stanley's legacy lives on today through his Foundation. He was one of the first to go to Soweto in South Africa to teach underprivileged kids to play the game.

"He became known as 'the black man with the white face', Johnson continued.

"People in Soweto were delighted to see him. One of them said 'He was our Jesus because he brought us hope'. Pele says Sir Stanley Matthews taught us how to play the game properly."

Paradise Moeketsi meets up with Sir Stan's daughter Jean Gough

Only last weekend at the Premier League game against Sunderland, one man whose nickname is Paradise came to lay flowers at his grave.

The Foundation flew him over and he lay a wreath on the centre spot at the Britannia Stadium where Sir Stanley's ashes were spread.

This weekend the Premier League side are Albion's hosts in the last 16 of the FA Cup and Johnson, who has commentated on the Potters for 40 years, believes it will be a tight-knit affair.

"Stoke will show Brighton great respect. Tony Pulis (the manager) will instil in them that they are top of table.

"Albion boss Gus Poyet has done a magnificent job and Pulis will say we cannot take them for granted and you will need to be on top of their game.

"They'd better not give Brighton opportunities otherwise it will be the Seagulls fans celebrating at a quarter to 5 and not the Potters."

The Seagulls fans may also have a few ideas on which Albion legend they want to feature at the Amex.