The Day Pele Came to Town

From the collection of

The Box
Established in 1992, the South West Film & Television Archive collection spans from 1893 to the present day containing more than 250,000 items. Formed from a variety of depositors, including broadcast news and programmes material from the Westward and TSW archive. In 2018 the archive collection transferred to The Box in Plymouth.

The Day Pele Came to Town


Santos Football Club bring Brazil's world cup talent to Home Park in Plymouth with Pelé playing his beautiful game.

The touring team decided to strike on the day of the match when they saw the crowd of nearly forty thousand and realised they had not negotiated a percentage of the gate. Pelé, with wife Rosemeri, was on a final tour with the club for which he had played since his debut as a talented 15-year-old in 1956.

The all-star team also featured Edu, Carlos Alberto and Clodoaldo from the Brazil squad who had won the 1970 World Cup. On the Argyle side, Pelé was marked by John Hore and, by half-time, Alan Dowling, Derek Rickard and Jimmy Hinch had all scored. Pelé blasted a penalty and Edu scored before the final whistle and a pitch invasion.

Pelé retired in 1974 but made a comeback playing for New York Cosmos. He is considered the greatest footballer of his generation and remembered for his prolific goal scoring. He is also credited with calling football the beautiful game. Many people remember that day at Home Park and how seriously Plymouth Argyle took the match. Perhaps the off-pitch antics ruined Brazilian concentration.


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