In the presence of greatness

[dave.woodhall]

A few words about Pele:

https://heroesandvillains.info/2022/12/30/in-the-presence-of-greatness/

[Percy McCarthy]

A few words about Pele:

https://heroesandvillains.info/2022/12/30/in-the-presence-of-greatness/

Great piece.

[nordenvillain]

I'm happy to say that I was at both games. I remember the crowds queuing to get into VP for the Santos game and would agree with Dave W that there were probably more than declared actually got in to witness the game. The dimming of the floodlights was hilarious.

[Scratchins]

Thanks Dave, I have commented on the Pele topic about the friendly but to my shame I had forgotten him at Arsenal. He ran around the pitch in lounge shoes as though he had the most expensive trainers on.  Great memories.

[Chris Smith]

I'm happy to say that I was at both games. I remember the crowds queuing to get into VP for the Santos game and would agree with Dave W that there were probably more than declared actually got in to witness the game. The dimming of the floodlights was hilarious.

I went to the Santos game with a mate from school. There was a massive queue on Trinity Road for the Holte and we were getting buffeted about and were too small to assert ourselves but l some blokes saw our plight and were able to get us fast tracked to the front. It was absolutely packed and we ended up watching the first half holding on to a railing above the gangway across the middle of the stand. In the second half as people went downstairs we got a more orthodox place. I’ve been to hundreds of games since but few stand out like that one due to the aura that Pele generated. 

[john e]

I was there on the second occasion, like many on here of a certain age

Like you you say Dave the debate is ongoing about who is the best but Pele will always be the greatest and certainly the most important footballer of our times

[garyellis]

That is spot on Dave.
Who was the best we can argue about until we are blue in the face but no doubt about him being the greatest

[stubbsyandy]

I too was there on both occasions, at Highbury we were having a drink below the stand when he walked through, everyone chanting ‘Pelé! Pelé!’ except my best mate who was buying the commissionaire a drink!
Great days. Great man.

[Allan C]

I went to the Santos game with my dad but as a 10 year old I don’t remember much about the game except for the fact that we bought our own generators in case of power cuts. I love watching the black and white Pathe news type reports though. What times to be a Villa fan

[john e]

Are we the only ground in England Pele has played at in a proper match?

[rougegorge]

Are we the only ground in England Pele has played at in a proper match?

No, he played at Sheff Wed, Stoke and Plymouth and twice at Goodison Park in the 1966 World Cup.

[john e]

Are we the only ground in England Pele has played at in a proper match?

No, he played at Sheff Wed, Stoke and Plymouth and twice at Goodison Park in the 1966 World Cup.

Oh yeah
Forgot about that

Did anything big happen in that one?

[dave shelley]

Are we the only ground in England Pele has played at in a proper match?

No, he played at Sheff Wed, Stoke and Plymouth and twice at Goodison Park in the 1966 World Cup.

Oh yeah
Forgot about that

Did anything big happen in that one?

He had the shit kicked out of him at Goodison IIRC.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Are we the only ground in England Pele has played at in a proper match?

No, he played at Sheff Wed, Stoke and Plymouth and twice at Goodison Park in the 1966 World Cup.

Oh yeah
Forgot about that

Did anything big happen in that one?

He had the shit kicked out of him at Goodison IIRC.

[Hookeysmith]

Brutal