The funeral of Sir Stanley Matthews at St Peters church in Stoke, March 2000.  Matthews was the  first professional footballer to be knighted and the most renowned player of modern times. His professional career covered some 33 years. When he retired in 1965, aged 50, he had made almost 700 League appearances for Stoke City and Blackpool and had played for England 84 times, including two appearances for Great Britain. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Stoke-onTrent to pay their respect.

Picture courtesy Staffordshire Sentinel News & Media