The game just got more beautiful as the legendary tale of Pickles the dog, the World Cup hero of 1966, has been commemorated on a wine bottle for fans to raise a glass this tournament to the original 1966 football champion.
The phrase you can’t teach an old dog new tricks was put into question in 1966 when Pickles, the South London black and white collie, solved one of Scotland Yard’s biggest investigations, recovering the stolen World Cup trophy just days ahead of the competition. Brits everywhere shouted ‘Chardo-yay’, he’s found the trophy.
Hitting the back of the net with blanket headlines in 1966, he was hailed a national hero and gained football fame and adoration with his heroic find when walking with the owner, David Corbett. Tucked away, wrapped in paper, the Jules Rimmet cup was discovered by Pickles and returned to the FA days ahead of play.
The curious collie received an award from the National Defence League (and no, Kanye didn’t swoop in and steal the mic), enjoyed dinner at the winner’s banquet, appeared in a film with Eric Sykes and was invited to all the latest grand openings and restaurants – ah, must be ‘ruff’ being a star.
Now, more than 50 years on, Leaps & Bounds wine is making the 1966 worldy its man of the match by immortalising him on its bottle of Chardonnay.
Vicky Bryksa, Pernod Ricard UK Brand Ambassador, said: “Pickles is a football hero, how could we not tell the story of his World Cup victory? The Leaps and Bounds range celebrates the legendary tales of man’s best friends, honouring the dogs of the world, shining the spotlight on those who deserve it. The wine is a playful and historical accompaniment to this year’s football tournament.”
Leaps & Bounds’ Chardonnay wine bottle forms a hattrick of three wines honouring the astonishing and courageous dogs of the world. The bottle is available to football fans now for £9 on Amazon.
We bet you can’t wait to get your paws on this range!