The day Pele faced the Toon
IT was early June 1972.
T Rex were number one in the pop charts with Metal Guru; movie-goers were flocking to see a highly rated new film called The Godfather; and, in the news, the ‘Troubles’ flared in Ulster.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Newcastle United were in action on a four-match end-of-season tour of the Far East
In an age long before the advent of the internet and Sky Sports, this was a low-key affair apart from the occasional story on the back page of the Chronicle filed from overseas by a freelancer.
It was 45 years ago tomorrow that United came up against the greatest player in the world and, for some, the best of all time - although Barcelona’s current number 10 might have something to say about that.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento was nearing the end of his sensational career.
Better known to you and me as Pele, he was the scorer of an incredible 1281 career goals and winner of three World Cups with Brazil.
It’s an often forgotten football fact that Pele once played against the Magpies.
The date was June 4, 1972, the place was Happy Valley stadium in Hong Kong, and the match was between United and Pele’s Brazilian club team, Santos.
The Magpies had finished a modest eleventh in the old First Division, but featured a host of big-name players who lit up St James’ Park in the early 1970s.
Bobby Moncur, Jimmy Smith, Frank Clark and John Tudor were all established stars. And 22-year-old Malcolm Macdonald was the new unofficial king of Tyneside.
In the event, Supermac was away on international duty when United took on the samba stars in Hong Kong on a humid, rainy day.
Three-time World Cup winner, Pele, was now 31, and the game came two years after Brazil’s triumph in Mexico ‘70, but the number 10 could still pack a mighty punch.
Former Toon full-back Frank Clark recalled the game: “We were 2-1 up at half-time. We were the better team before the break, but it was a different matter after half-time.
“Pele suddenly decided to turn it on. He scored three fantastic goals in about 15 minutes.
“After 65 minutes, he went off – and that was it. We lost 4-2 but it was a great experience being on the same pitch as the world’s best player.”
Former United striker, John Tudor, also played that day.
He said: “In the first half, Pele was quiet. Then for fifteen minutes we were in the presence of greatness.
“His skill, close control and acceleration were just incredible.
“He was like a flash of lightning. He scored three goals. Job done and he was off. What a footballer.”
For the record, the Magpies played in black and white, while Santos who normally played in stripes wore all-white for the game.
Meanwhile, former Newcastle midfielder Tony Green remembers: “There was no applause for Newcastle. Everybody had come to see Pele .
“He was superb, terrific. I’d played against players like Dennis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton, but Pele was a different class.”
Fast forward to October 7, 2003, and the Brazilian jetted into Newcastle to launch a photographic exhibition, charting his own life and times, at Northumbria University.
It was a visit which would see him come face-to-face with the North East’s very own football icon, Sir Bobby Robson.
The Chronicle reported: “Soccer giant Pele was mobbed by fans today as he arrived on Tyneside.
“The triple World Cup winner was in the region to open a new exhibition of photographs chronicling his life on and off the pitch.
“He was greeted by a group of Newcastle youngsters showing off their ball skills as he emerged from the arrivals hall.
“A crowd quickly gathered around Pele and followed him outside to his car, which whisked him to St James’ Park.
“During the course of the day Pele will meet Geordie heroes Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley.
“Tonight, he will be unveiling the Pele Collection at Northumbria University.”
Today the brilliant Brazilan is 76. All hail Pele.