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Did You Know? A Dog Once Found the Stolen FIFA World Cup Trophy!

Dog with a World Cup Trophy

Imagine a dog becoming a hero by helping solve one of football’s most famous mysteries! It sounds unbelievable, but in 1966, a dog named Pickles made headlines after discovering the stolen FIFA World Cup trophy in London, England.

The Mysterious Disappearance of the World Cup Trophy

In March 1966, just months before England was scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup, the original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen while on display at Westminster Central Hall in London.

The trophy was one of the most valuable prizes in international football. Its disappearance caused widespread concern, and police launched an investigation to recover it before the tournament began.

Despite the search, the trophy remained missing.

Enter Pickles, the Unexpected Hero!

Pickles with his owner and wife

On March 27, 1966, a man named David Corbett was walking his dog, Pickles, in the Beulah Hill area of south London.

During their walk, Pickles began sniffing around a package wrapped in newspaper that had been left beneath a garden hedge. When Corbett investigated, he discovered the missing Jules Rimet Trophy inside!

Corbett contacted the police, and the trophy was recovered. What investigators had struggled to find, an ordinary dog had unexpectedly uncovered.

Pickles Becomes a Celebrity

Celebrity Dog

The discovery made Pickles an overnight sensation. Newspapers celebrated the dog as a hero, and he received widespread public attention.

Pickles even attended a celebration following England's victory in the 1966 World Cup. England went on to win its first men’s World Cup title by defeating West Germany 4-2 in the final.

The story of Pickles became one of the most memorable and unusual episodes in World Cup history.

Why Is This Story So Fascinating?

Football history is filled with incredible goals, dramatic victories, and legendary players. But sometimes, the most extraordinary stories involve unexpected heroes.

Pickles demonstrated that even a simple walk with a dog could lead to an unforgettable moment in sporting history.

Did You Know? The original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen again in Brazil in 1983 and was never recovered. A replica was later produced.

What do you think? Could another animal become a hero in the world of sports? Share your thoughts in our socials!

Sources

1. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (2020, March 20). Pickles and the stolen World Cup. FIFA. https://inside.fifa.com/news/pickles-and-the-stolen-world-cup-2771152

2. Heaton, A. (2021, March 24). Object of the week: Dog collar belonging to Pickles. National Football Museum. https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/stories/object-of-the-week-dog-collar-belonging-to-pickles/

3. National Football Museum. (n.d.). Pickles the dog’s medals, 1966. https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/items/pickles-the-dogs-medals-1966/

4. National Football Museum. (2016, March 29). Jules Rimet Trophy returns to museum display. https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/news/jules-rimet-trophy-returns-to-museum-display/

5. The Football Association. (2014, July 30). Hurst hat-trick helps England become world champions. https://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Jul/29/england-west-germany-world-cup-final-1966-4-2

Image Sources

1. https://shop.memorylane.co.uk

2. https://www.bloomberg.com


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