Detectives probing the theft of the 1966 World Cup have allegedly struck a deal with the thieves to recover the trophy, according to the son of a key lawyer involved in the case. As Thomas Tuchel and the England team gear up for their bid to reclaim the trophy, new evidence uncovered by the Daily Mirror suggests that Freddie Baldwin, represented the culprits and played a role in the Cup’s retrieval. The iconic football prize was snatched from a stamp exhibition in Westminster in March 1966, just months before the tournament was set to commence.

The theft, occurring days before a crucial general election, placed immense pressure on Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s administration, the Football Association, and the Metropolitan Police. Frank Baldwin, son of Freddie Baldwin, the lawyer for the thieves, speculates that a negotiation took place to secure the trophy’s return in time for the finals, preventing potential political fallout and restoring public faith in the government.

John McLarens, a young actor working as a part-time security guard, discovered the missing trophy during his shift at Methodist Central Hall. Subsequently, a ransom demand was made, leading to a covert operation by DI Len Buggy of the Flying Squad, resulting in the arrest of a middleman involved in the extortion scheme.

Frank Baldwin believes his father facilitated the Cup’s return by brokering a deal between the thieves, law enforcement, and the authorities. The trophy was ultimately found by a local resident, leading to a series of events that culminated in England’s victory in the World Cup final against West Germany.

Decades later, the Daily Mirror uncovered new information linking a south London criminal to the theft, shedding light on the intricate details of the heist. Despite subsequent incidents of the trophy being stolen again, its whereabouts remain unknown to this day. The legacy of the 1966 World Cup theft continues to intrigue, with unanswered questions surrounding the involvement of key figures in the case.