THE death of Brazil footballing legend Pele aged 82 after battling with cancer, has sparked memories of his stay in Lymm during the 1966 World Cup.
Pele and the Brazil team stayed at the former Lymm Hotel, where local photographer Eddie Whitham managed to photograph the team.
Pele, the only player in history to win three World Cups, passed away at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo yesterday (Thursday) following a battle with cancer; he became an icon of the game after winning the World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old, netting twice in the final to defeat hosts Sweden
He also went on to become Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.
A message from Pele’s official Twitter account on Thursday read: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love and love, forever.”
His sad death jogged the memory of local photographer Eddie Whitham who covered the team’s stay at the Lymm Hotel – which also hosted the Russian team, who Eddie says was not as co-operative as the Brazilians with the local media!
Other photos he took included one of BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme (they thinks it’s all over…it is now ….fame) interviewing a young Pele.
Back in 2016 a special 50th-anniversary exhibition organised by Alan Williams from Lymm Heritage Centre, took place at the hotel featuring 1966 World Cup memorabilia – much of it drawn from the private collection of Neil Perkins.
England World Cup Winner, Roger Hunt, who sadly died last year, officially opened the event and was pictured with a lifesize cardboard cutout of Pele.
Roger Hunt and Pele and former Lymm Hotel manager Jamie MacDonald
Pele being interviewed by Ken Wolstenholme – Picture Eddie Whitham
The Brazil team – Picture Eddie Whitham
A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.
Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i
— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022
