Day Pele Came to Town

3-2 to Plymouth Argyle was the final score at Home Park in this friendly match against Brazilian Club Santos FC. Argyle were led by captain Dave Provan. 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. Pele, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento 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 Pele was marked by John Hore and by half-time Alan Dowling, Derek Rickard and Jimmy Hinch had all scored. Pele blasted a penalty and Edu scored before the final whistle and a pitch invasion. Pele 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.