25 Facts About Stan Mortensen

Stanley Harding Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final, in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final.

Stan Mortensen was both the first player to score for England in a FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and the first England player to score in the tournament proper.

Wales' Ivor Powell was injured and had to leave the field and, as England's reserve, Stan Mortensen took his place in the Welsh side.

Stan Mortensen is the second highest top scorer for Blackpool, behind Jimmy Hampson.

Stan Mortensen holds the record of scoring in the most consecutive league matches with 15, another record he still holds today is that he scored in twelve consecutive rounds of the FA Cup, including the defeat in the 1948 FA Cup Final.

Stan Mortensen scored two more goals in extra-time as Blackpool reached the final of the FA Cup for the first time.

Stan Mortensen had scored in every round so far, 7 goals in total.

Stan Mortensen had scored 5 goals but couldn't add to his tally as Blackpool suffered disappointment again.

Stan Mortensen would write himself into the record books, however the final is remembered and commonly referred to as the Matthews final.

Stan Mortensen was top scorer every season during his time at the club.

Stan Mortensen started his tenth season with the club before being transferred to second division Hull City.

Stan Mortensen won his first international cap for England in a friendly international against Portugal on 25th May 1947.

Stan Mortensen won his last international cap for England against Hungary on 25th November, 1953.

Stan Mortensen scored 23 goals in 25 appearances, but a series of knee injuries restricted his appearances.

Stan Mortensen was eligible to play for Norway, as his grandfather Hans, was born in Norway before moving to South Shields.

Stan Mortensen auctioned his football medals in order to help Blackpool through a tough spell.

On 20 October 1983, at the Blackpool supporters' annual general meeting, Stan Mortensen was voted vice-president.

On 18 November 1989, Stan Mortensen led the Blackpool team out onto the Bloomfield Road pitch for their FA Cup first-round tie with Bolton Wanderers.

Stan Mortensen died four days before his 70th birthday, on 22 May 1991, the day Blackpool reached Wembley for the first time since 1953.

Stan Mortensen's funeral was held at St John's parish church, Blackpool, and he was cremated at Carleton Crematorium in Carleton, Lancashire.

In 2003, Stan Mortensen was posthumously inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his talent and achievements.

On 23 August 2005, a statue of Mortensen was unveiled by his widow, Jean, and former Blackpool teammate Jimmy Armfield in front of Bloomfield Road's new North Stand, which now bears his name.

Stan Mortensen was so very proud of playing for Blackpool and loved everything about the town.

Stan Mortensen was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.

Five players from each decade are inducted; Stan Mortensen is in the 1950s.