Just under a week ago it was our sad duty to report the passing of World Cup hero and former Angels Manager George Cohen and now as many of you will have seen, someone else who took part in that same 1966 tournament,  Pele, has left us aged 82.  They may have taken part in the same tournament but as George was to go on to ultimate glory, Pele and his Brazil team were more or less kicked off the park by those who didn’t appreciate the concept of ‘the beautiful game’.  Nevertheless as one of the greatest players to grace any pitch, Pele managed to win three world cups for his country.

It was perhaps fortunate that TV was at that time becoming a mass visual medium for millions across the world and therefore Pele’s superb skills could be enjoyed by all who loved and followed the game.  It was however not merely his skills with a ball that made him a household name, it was the transgression of those skills into a ambassadorial role that made him a household name around the world.  

What was his connection with Tonbridge Angels ?  Well nothing directly of course, but surely every country, every club in the world should be eternally grateful to him for the role he played in placing the game we all love into the iconic spectacle it is today.  

Sleep easy Great Man,  you will never be forgotten.