50 years on from Pickles’ heroic find

It’s now been 50 years of hurt since England won the World Cup. Time flies when you’re having fun. Fun which has involved England being dumped out of the competition by Diego Maradona’s Hand of God at Mexico 1986 and by some dodgy refereeing in South Africa six years ago.

But let’s not dwell on those torturous memories. 50 years since that historic victory also means it’s 50 years since Pickles the dog found the Jules Rimet trophy discarded in a bush in South London.

The eyes of the world were on England in the build up to the 1966 World Cup but disaster struck when the 13-inch tall statuette given to the victors was stolen from Methodist Central Hall, in Westminster, where it was on display.

Luckily, with just four months until kick-off, Pickles spotted a paper bundle lying abandoned under a hedge in his front garden. His owner, Dave Corbett, unwrapped the package and the mystery was solved.

It’s thought the thieves panicked when they realised just how large the search for the trophy had become and decided to leave the precious trophy in a front garden.

Who knows, if it weren’t for Pickles perhaps England would never have won the World Cup. Good dog.