An England cap awarded to Jimmy Greaves after the 1962 World Cup quarter-final – the match that famously “went to the dogs” when a stray animal relieved itself on the striker – is expected to fetch £5,000 at auction.
While England lost against Brazil 3-1 in Chile, the match entered the history books when Greaves got down on all fours to catch a pooch who had wondered onto the pitch a minute into play.
Following the game the dog – who Greaves later revealed relieved himself on him – was adopted by the star Brazilian winger Garrincha.
The incident, Greaves later joked, gave him the nickname “Garrincha’s dog-catcher” in Brazil.
In a later interview Greaves recalled: “I got down on my hands and knees, being a dog lover anyway, and called the dog over. It got a massive cheer when I picked him up and cuddled him and as I did so peed all down my shirt.
“And you never changed strips in those days, you just had the one shirt, so I had to play in it.”
Garrincha, who scored two goals in the clash, went on to name his adopted pet “Bi”– short for bicampeonato, celebrating Brazil’s second consecutive World Cup title.
The cap was given to its current owner, a PR manager, who worked with the footballer in advertising campaigns in the early ‘80s.
The adman, who described Greaves as “a charming and down-to-earth gentleman who was a delight to work with”, asked the footballer for pieces of his sporting memorabilia to boost the visual appeal.
The striker duly obliged and when the campaign ended, Greaves presented the manager with the Brazilian cap.
He said: “Over the three or four years I worked with him, I got on very well with Jimmy, perhaps partly because I have no interest in football, meaning I wasn’t constantly asking him about his soccer career.
“As it happened, we were both teetotal, so I used to make sure he was supplied with orange juice at events and functions. I remember him as a charming and down-to-earth gentleman who was a delight to work with.”
Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “This cap not only has one of the most delightful stories in footballing history attached to it, it boasts a tremendous provenance having been given directly to the current owner by the great man himself.”
He continued: “In 1962, as today, the England squad headed to the World Cup full of hope. Expectations in the British press were high, with many believing England possessed the attacking flair to challenge the great footballing powers of Brazil and Argentina.
“Greaves was at the heart of this team. He was still in his early twenties and regarded as perhaps the finest natural goalscorer on the planet. Let’s hope the sale is a lucky talisman for today’s team to go on to lift the trophy.”
The cap has a guide price of £3,000-£5,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ football-themed sale at its Etwall saleroom on June 18.
Auction Details
Auction: Hansons Sporting Auction: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 1966 World Cup
Auction date: 30th July 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
