Blackpool vs Bolton Wanderers 1953 FA Cup Final: The Matthews Final in Black-and-White

This rare black-and-white archival footage captures the iconic 1953 FA Cup Final, dubbed "The Matthews Final," held at Wembley Stadium on May 2, 1953—over 70 years ago—showcasing one of football’s most legendary matches. Filmed as a silent documentary or newsreel, the film follows Blackpool’s thrilling 4–3 victory over Bolton Wanderers, equaling the record for the highest-scoring FA Cup Final set in 1890, with Stan Mortensen scoring a hat-trick—the third in FA Cup history—and Stanley Matthews earning Man of the Match for his mesmerizing wing play, securing Blackpool’s first FA Cup win after losing finals in 1948 and 1951. The footage highlights the match’s key moments: Mortensen’s goals, Matthews’ dribbles, and the electric atmosphere at Wembley, with 100,000 fans cheering. A captivating window into post-war British football’s golden age, this preserved gem grips sports historians, football fans, and nostalgia seekers, offering a timeless peek at a historic triumph frozen in time.