The Dog Who Discovered the Glory: Pickles and 1966’s WC

1966 was a year of great significance in the world of football. It was the year England hosted the FIFA World Cup, a tournament that would go down in history for reasons beyond just the game. Among the most dramatic events was the theft of the iconic Jules Rimet Trophy—an event that would leave an indelible mark on the football world.

The story begins with England’s Football Association (FA) receiving the honor of hosting the World Cup. At that time, the Jules Rimet Trophy was the coveted prize for the world’s best football team. By March of 1966, the trophy had arrived in England for public display before the tournament commenced in April. The FA, ever opportunistic, decided to organize an exhibition, but with one condition: they insisted on showcasing the real Jules Rimet Trophy, not a replica. Despite FIFA’s hesitation, the FA chairman Joe Mears pushed through, gaining approval to display the authentic trophy. They organized an exhibition for two days at Westminster Hall in London on March 19th and 20th.

At the exhibition hall, the scene was set like something out of a Hollywood movie: a glass showcase displayed the glittering trophy, with two police officers standing guard, ensuring the safety of the priceless artifact. There was nothing suspicious on 19th March but March 20th !! disaster struck. A religious gathering at Westminster Hall attracted large crowds, and during the chaos, no one was in the room. The trophy was gone.

The international media caught warm wind of the scandal. The English football authorities were harshly criticized for their failure to safeguard the World Cup trophy, with some questioning whether England was even fit to host such a prestigious tournament. 

As the situation grew more tense, a mysterious note arrived at the FA’s office from an individual named “Jackson,” demanding £15,000 in exchange for the trophy. The condition? The ransom must be paid in £5 and £10 sterling notes. The authorities, now desperate to recover the stolen trophy, followed Jackson’s instructions, meeting him at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge and later at Battersea Park. But when they finally confronted Jackson, they discovered he had no World Cup trophy to offer, and he was merely a pawn in a larger criminal scheme.

 

Days passed, and despite efforts by both British and Scottish investigative teams, the trophy remained missing. It was only on March 31st, when a local man named David Corbett took his dog Pickles for a walk that the story took a remarkable turn. While strolling near some bushes, Pickles uncovered a small box. Inside, the faint glow of something golden caught David’s attention. Upon closer inspection, he saw names like “Germany,” “Brazil,” and “Italy” inscribed on the box. It was, unmistakably, the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Corbett’s discovery was celebrated, but in a strange twist of fate, his initial excitement led him to become a suspect in the investigation. While visiting the police station, he added some imaginary lines to narrate the real story, and officers considered him the culprit. Despite the drama surrounding the recovery of the trophy, the incident made Corbett and Pickles national celebrities. The duo were even invited to a royal banquet at Birmingham Palace after England’s victory in the 1966 World Cup, cementing their place in British sporting folklore. Even It was also special as after returning from the harrowing Munich disaster in 1957; Sir Bobby Charlton conquered Wembley. Finally, one of the batchmates of Busby Babes touched the glory. 

However, the triumph of the 1966 World Cup and the return of the trophy did not mark the end of its storied existence. In 1970, Brazil, led by the legendary Pelé, won their third World Cup, earning them permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy. But fate took another cruel turn in 1983 when the trophy was stolen once again. Within 24 hours, the thieves melted the trophy down and sold it for scrap—an act that forever tarnished the legacy of what was once football’s most prestigious prize.

The disappearance and eventual destruction of the Jules Rimet Trophy remains one of the darkest chapters in football history, a symbol of both triumph and disgrace

” Disgrace of Jules Rimet Trophy “