For his part in recovering the Jules Rimet trophy, Pickles the dog became an instant celebrity, and was featured on television and starred in some movies. He was showered with gifts, and England’s National Canine Defence League bestowed on him the highest honor, a silver medal inscribed with the words, “To Pickles, for his part in the recovery of the World Cup, 1966.”
A ceremony was held at the Café Royal where it was presented by the leagues secretary who said, “Pickles, by his action, has given prominence to the canine world and so helped us in our task.” At the same ceremony, many were referring to Pickles as the “furry Sherlock Holmes”, and he was given a rubber bone, £53 collected amongst the hotel staff and presented the best steak for him to eat by hotel owner Henry Cooper.
Despite being initially suspected of involvement in the theft, Mr. Corbett was soon completely vindicated, and received a reward totalling £6,000. Pickles was taken to meet with the West German team, who all touched him for luck, hoping they would be the winners who would take the cup home… but it was not to be. The World Cup final took place at Wembley Stadium on July 30, 1966, between the West German team and England with 96,924 fans in attendance.
England would go on to win 4-2, with Geoff Hurst scoring a hat-trick, with his controversial third goal being awarded by the referee. The England team, known as the “wingless wonders” became the new champions, and were awarded the trophy by Queen Elizabeth II. One of the most enduring images of the celebrations at Wembley in the immediate aftermath, was the picture of England Captain Bobby Moore holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft, on the shoulders of his teammates.