Pele in Cannock: Football superstar arrives in town
He is the greatest footballer of all time – and this afternoon Pele will be sharing stories of his life and career with fans in Cannock.
Bar Sport has been busy making special preparations for the arrival of the global icon today.
He flew in from his homeland Brazil on Thursday and is staying in London ahead of the talk before more than 250 people.
Pele has arrived at Bar Sport. He will talk on his youth, footballing career and life after the game.
Owner Scott Murray said the venue has prepared a meal of fresh fish and vegetables as requested by the three-time World Cup winner – the only man to achieve that feat for his country.
Additional security has been brought in purely to keep the crowd under control and ensure the Cannock audience is respectful to the man who scored more than 1,200 career goals and is widely recognised as the greatest player ever to have kicked a football.
But despite having the privilege of hosting the world's best Mr Murray said preparations have been far more relaxed than when the venue welcomed boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jnr who came with a list of extravagant demands and a 26-man entourage.
"Pele is obviously very special and we have got to be stricter with security, just for crowd control really.
"He will have his own green room where he can relax. He wants a particular meal of fresh fish and vegetables because he doesn't eat beef.
"He is still sharp with his diet which is fabulous.
"Obviously we are doing a lot of work around the number of people set to have photographs.
"It has been a bit more preparation than normal but nowhere near as much as there was with Floyd Mayweather."
Mr Murray added: "I think Pele is a nicer person which makes a big difference. And the people around him are nicer people."
