How Methodism Nearly Lost the World Cup

In a case worthy of Sherlock Holmes, Scotland Yard detectives conducted interviews, with one churchgoer describing seeing a suspicious man in the vicinity.

The day after the heist, Football Association chairman Joe Mears received an anonymous phone call saying a parcel would be delivered to him at Chelsea Football Club the next day. When it arrived, inside was the lining from the top of the trophy along with a ransom demand for £150,000.

Accompanied by police, Mears went to meet the thief in Battersea Park, where a pursuit ensued. The culprit was arrested. At the station, he was recognised as petty thief Edward Betchley, who said he had been paid to act as a go-between for the real robber.

Seemingly at a dead end, the police could not find the location of the stolen trophy.  Read Morefrom www.methodists.org.uk