It was long regarded as a 'lost' football match - but now, amateur film footage has come to light capturing action from the legendary game 50 years ago.
It was June 4, 1972, when Newcastle United, in the Far East on a four-match end-of-season tour, lined up against the crack Brazilian club side Santos for an exhibition match at Hong Kong's Happy Valley Stadium. The significance of the game centred on the number 10 playing for the Magpies' opponents that day.
For football fans then, it was a given that Pele was the best footballer in the world. Even today, many will argue he is the greatest player of all time. Fast, skilful, strong, brave and formidable in the air, the striker was a remarkably prodigious goal-scorer - and he would help himself to another three against Newcastle United that afternoon.
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In an age before social media and round-the-clock television, the game was not widely reported. The Chronicle carried half a dozen paragraphs on its back page and, later, there were a couple of references to the match in books by United's club historian Paul Joannou.
The cine film footage of the game emerged just a few years ago. It was bought on eBay by Andrew Smith from Wardley, Gateshead. The 35-year-old filmmaker and teacher, who had kindly shared a clip with ChronicleLive, said: "I collect old films and home movies. When I got hold of the Newcastle United footage, there were very few details about the film and I didn't recognise where the game had taken place.
"It came in Super 8 form, and it was quite fragile. Despite that, it's very clear for amateur footage. I'm not a big football fan and it was a while until I found out the significance of the game."
Newcastle United's 1972 Far East tour came on the back of a season in which they'd finished 11th in the First Division. Star striker Malcolm Macdonald was away on England duty and missed the trip, but most of the team's other big names were there.
For three-time World Cup winner Pele, who was by then 31, the game came two years after Brazil’s triumph in Mexico ‘70, but the legendary number 10 would prove he could still pack a mighty punch. A few years ago, I talked to some of the Newcastle players who faced Santos and the world's greatest player on a rainy, humid afternoon in Hong Kong 50 years ago.
Frank Clark, who made the United no. 3 shirt his own for over a decade, recalled: “The trip took us to places like Tehran, Bangkok and, finally, Hong Kong. We were 2-1 up at half-time with goals from John Tudor, and a 30-yard screamer from Tony Green.
“We were the better team before the break, but it was a different matter after half-time. As well as Pele, I remember Edu was playing, and he was really impressive. The great Brazilian full-back Carlos Alberto was also in the team.
“Anyway, Pele suddenly decided to turn it on. He scored three fantastic goals in about 15 minutes. Not only was Pele skilful, he was as hard as nails – and so powerful. After 65 minutes, he went off – and that was it. We lost 4-2 but it was a great experience being on the same pitch as the world’s best player."
Former striker John Tudor speaking of the Brazilian superstar said: "For fifteen minutes we were in the presence of greatness. Pele ’s skill, close control and acceleration were just incredible. He was like a flash of lightning. He scored three goals. Job done and he was off. What a footballer.”
And former midfielder Tony Green remembered: "There was no applause for Newcastle. Everybody had come to see Pele. He was superb, terrific. I’d played against players like Dennis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton, but Pele was a different class.”
Thanks to filmmaker Andrew Smith for sharing a rare piece of Newcastle United and footballing history. You can check out Andrew's website at www.century21films.co.uk. Follow Andrew Smith on Twitter at @illegibleme
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