Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IN ME29 SHED, SON
Where thieves hid World Cup
England captain raised it at Wembley. He said: “If the police carried out a forensic examination they would’ve found coal dust.”
The shed, at 71 Cowper Street in Luton, Bedfordshire, has survived the last half century but is in a state of disrepair. Its wooden door is etched with graffiti, and the building now houses a washing machine.
Historic records show Reg’s wife Betty was living at the address when she married in 1945 and her mum Nora died there in 1962.
Council documents prove Betty’s dad Norman “Jack” White, a lorry driver, was still living at the property in 1966. Both Sid and Reg confided in Gary that the coal shed was where they hid the trophy for several days.
The Mirror this week revealed how Sid, then 40, stole the World Cup with Reg’s help in March 1966. Seven days later it was found in a street by dog Pickles and owner David Corbett. It remains unclear how it got there.
Months later the trophy was held aloft by Bobby Moore after England defeated West Germany 4-2. The current tenant of 71 Cowper Street said: “I’m surprised to find out the World Cup was hidden here, maybe I should install a plaque.
“I just use it as a place to throw my junk and wash clothes. I will have to treat the shed with more respect in future.” The Jules Rimet trophy was stolen again in 1983 in Brazil and has never been recovered.