ON THIS DAY

45 YEARS AGO ON 12 MARCH 1973

BLESSED with a galaxy of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup champions, Santos sought to boost their coffers by arranging exhibition games overseas. England was their preferred country and a game at Fulham, with Pelé (above) as the star attraction, attracted 21,464 punters to Craven Cottage. Or so it was claimed. When Santos disputed the gate receipts, the arrangement ended badly. It didn’t prevent Pelé being recruited in 2002 by club owner Mohamed Al-Fayed as their Brazilian scout.