Argyle and The Box to Debut New Santos Anniversary Video

Tuesday, 14 March marks the 50th anniversary of a unique night in our club’s footballing history.

Imagine, in 2023, if in the midst of a season’s run-in, we took in a midweek friendly match. Not only did this happen in 1973, but a crowd of 37,639 turned out at Home Park to watch Argyle face Brazilian side Santos.

Although, let’s face it, that is not the whole story. Mostly, they turned out to see a man still considered to be arguably the greatest footballer of all-time: Pele.

The great man won three FIFA World Cups – a feat unmatched in football – and reached an iconic status in our game that few, if any, have matched.

Argyle won the game 3-2, with Mike Dowling, Derek Rickard and Jimmy Hinch sending Tony Waiters’ Pilgrims into a 3-0 lead. Pele scored a penalty to get one back, then set up Edu for a second, but Argyle prevailed.

Very little footage remains of that extraordinary night, but Argyle have worked with The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum, to bring together three Argyle legends who played in that game. Rickard, John Hore and Steve Davey brought memorabilia and memories to Home Park’s Players’ Lounge and, in front of The Box’s cameras, relived some precious moments, including some footage uncovered by The Box that the players had never seen.

At 7pm, on Argyle TV, as well as Argyle and The Box’s respective YouTube channels, the video will premiere. Be sure to check out a very special look at the night the greatest player ever graced the Home Park turf.