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WORLD CUP CHAMPAGNE

Published:  23 July, 2008

A bottle of Champagne from a case produced specifically for England's 1966 World Cup team is in a Sotheby's sale of football memorabilia at Olympia on Friday 17 May. It is estimated to fetch 1,000-1,500. The World Cup vintage was part of a case of Heidsieck Dry Monopole Champagne produced for England's 1966 World Cup Final team. After the victory, all but one bottle were cracked open. As the England side departed, manager Alf Ramsey presented the last bottle to dressing room attendant Jim Green to thank him for his help during the day. Green's son Stephen said that the fate of the Champagne almost came to an untimely end. He recalls: My sister nearly poured the contents of the Champagne down the sink when she was tidying my parents' house, following my father's death last year. She found the bottle in a cabinet and assumed that it was out of date and not worth keeping. Fortunately, my nephew noticed the date and name on the label and felt that it could have some significance. He stopped my sister, she made enquiries with my other brothers and they confirmed that it was from the dressing room of the England team.'

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