14 March 1973 - Plymouth Rocks Pelé

On 14 March 1973, fresh off their defeat to Fulham two days earlier, Santos FC continued their England tour with a friendly against Third Division side Plymouth Argyle. And lost again.

Controversy erupted before the Brazilian side even took the pitch. According to Argyle chairman Robert Daniel, Santos officials refused to let the team play unless the hosts ponied up an additional £2,500 more than the contracted fee. Daniel initially refused, but with a capacity crowd of over 37,000 at Plymouth's Home Park to see world-famous players such as 1970 World Cup winners Carlos Alberto, Edú, and the most celebrated player of all, Pelé, he eventually capitulated and paid the extra amount.

He was glad he did, as Argyle took a 3rd-minute lead with a rocket from Mike Dowling, who fired the ball from outside the box into the top right corner of the net. A diving header from Derek Rickard doubled their lead, then a failed attempt by Santos keeper Claudio to corral a cross allowed Argyle's Jimmy Hinch to slot in from close range and extend the margin to 3-0 by the break. When the halftime whistle blew, supporters rushed onto the pitch and swarmed around Pelé seeking autographs.

The second half was a different story, as a penalty kick from Pelé and a late goal from Edú closed the gap to 3-2, but that was it. Argyle held on until full time to claim one of their most historic victories.

(For video of the match, please visit http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/santos72H.asp.)

12 March 1973 - Pelé Comes To London

On 12 March 1973, Pelé and Santos FC visited London for a friendly against Second Division Fulham. And lost 2-1.

Although Pelé had been in England with Brazil for the 1966 World Cup, all of Brazil's matches had been played at Goodison Park, making the Fulham match his first in the English capital. His Santos teammates that day included fellow 1970 World Cup winners Carlos Alberto and Edú.

A season-high crowd of 21,464 turned out at Craven Cottage for the game. Pelé, who was already an established international star, was the center of attention, receiving rounds of applause every time he touched of the ball. But Edú turned in the most impressive performance for the visitors with a combination of speed and style.

Santos went ahead with a penalty kick from Pelé, who slipped the ball past Fulham keeper Peter Mellor, but the Cottagers fought back. Midfielder Alan Pinkney, not generally known as a scorer, provided the equalizer, while striker Steve Earle scored the winning goal. It was a hard-fought victory for the hosts; post-match reports described the Fulham players as looking exhausted, while the Brazilians appeared to have barely broken a sweat.

Afterward, a dispute arose between the two clubs, as Santos believed that Fulham had short-changed them on their percentage of the gate. Any animosity between Fulham and Pelé did not last, though, as he later went on to scout for the club in 2002.