How we lost the World Cup in 1966

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World Cup fever has hit Britain once again, with millions glued to their TVs and cheering on Scotland and England as they take part in the world’s biggest sporting tournament, kicking off on Thursday 11 June.

Today, the connection to Methodism of one of the World Cup’s most intriguing episodes is little-known – six decades on from the strange series of events.

Held amid the swinging sixties in England, the 1966 World Cup marked the England team’s biggest triumph. Bobby Moore hoisted the world-famous Jules Rimet Trophy after England beat West Germany in the final, in front of a crowd of nearly 100,000 people inside Wembley Stadium and more than 33 million watching at home.

But it was a moment that almost never happened. Four months earlier, the silver-gilt statue was stolen from Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, where it was being exhibited alongside rare stamps.

It is a case almost stranger than fiction, involving a brazen thief, a ransom note, a police sting and a heroic Collie dog named Pickles.

The story began in January 1966, when the Jules Rimet was taken to England – the host nation for that year’s World Cup. A month later, the Stanley Gibbons stamp company were allowed to put the cup on display as part of their Stampex exhibition at Methodist Central Hall library, on the condition that the trophy be kept under constant guard.

Although guards kept watch around the clock, with additional guards standing beside the display cabinet while the exhibition was open, the thief found a hole in the defences. The Central Hall was used for Methodist services on Sundays, and the trophy was not so heavily guarded.

Just after midday on Sunday 20 March, the guards noticed that the prized trophy had been stolen from the library.

In a case worthy of Sherlock Holmes, Scotland Yard detectives conducted interviews, with one churchgoer describing seeing a suspicious man in the vicinity.

The day after the heist, Football Association chairman Joe Mears received an anonymous phone call saying a parcel would be delivered to him at Chelsea Football Club the next day. When it arrived, inside was the lining from the top of the trophy along with a ransom demand for £150,000.

Accompanied by police, Mears went to meet the thief in Battersea Park, where a pursuit ensued. The culprit was arrested. At the station, he was recognised as petty thief Edward Betchley, who said he had been paid to act as a go-between for the real robber.

Seemingly at a dead end, the police could not find the location of the stolen trophy.

But a week after the theft, which had caused headlines around the globe, Collie-cross Pickles, walking with his owner David Corbett, began sniffing at a package under the hedge of Mr Corbett’s house in the Beulah Hill area of London.

To the astonishment of Mr Corbett, it contained the missing World Cup. He promptly handed it to the police, who retained it as evidence until 18 April.

They returned it to the FA before the opening of the 1966 tournament in July, with England subsequently  claiming victory.

After his historic find, Pickles was treated like a celebrity – he was presented with a medal, appeared on Blue Peter, was invited to shop openings and received a year’s supply of dog food.

There is now a blue plaque in London marking the spot he made his discovery.

The Jules Rimet trophy was retired in 1970 after Brazil won it for the third time, which under FIFA rules meant the country could keep it in perpetuity. Not wanting to be fooled again, the Brazilians protected the cup behind bulletproof glass when it was put on display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

For 13 years it stayed in pride of place, showcasing Brazil’s footballing prowess.

Shockingly, it was stolen once again in 1983, with thieves forcing the wooden back of the cabinet open with a crowbar and making off with it.

Sadly, this time there was no Pickles the dog to sniff it out. The Jules Rimet Trophy has never been seen again. The mystery has led to various theories that it may have been melted down or perhaps even still exists somewhere – hidden after being sold on the black market.

The current World Cup, called rather plainly the FIFA World Cup Trophy, is now kept almost permanently at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich, Switzerland. It is only brought out at the opening game, the final, and occasionally for tours.

This summer, football fans will be descending on the USA, Mexico and Canada, with the national teams of 48 countries looking to lift the famous trophy.

But while enjoying the sporting spectacle, think of the bewildered staff at Methodist Central Hall 60 years ago – and thank the Lord for Pickles the inquisitive dog.