Stephen Butler, now 69, has finally completed a Panini World Cup sticker album that he started as a 13-year-old boy in 1970. The finishing touch came five years after rediscovering the nearly complete book in his loft, when he purchased the missing Chile sticker online for £150.
A Childhood Treasure Rediscovered
Five years ago, while moving house in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, Butler stumbled upon a box in his loft containing old school memorabilia. Among his school cap, exercise books, and photos was the 1970 Panini World Cup sticker book, bringing back a flood of memories from a formative time in his life.
Memories of the 1970 World Cup
Butler recalled the excitement of watching the 1970 World Cup in Mexico City on a new colour television his father had bought. As a young fan, he was captivated by the tournament, especially by players like Pelé, Jairzinho, and Italian stars Boninsegna and Facchetti. The sticker album was a cherished project, with each pack of four stickers costing five pre-decimalisation pennies from local shops.
The Missing Sticker
Decades later, Butler noticed that one sticker was missing from his collection. It wasn't a player but the country of Chile, which had earned a sticker for hosting the 1962 World Cup. Despite his best efforts in 1970, he had never managed to acquire it. For five more years, the album remained incomplete, stored in a new home.
A Radio Announcement Sparks Action
Recently, Butler heard on the radio that Panini's partnership with FIFA would end in 2030. Motivated by the desire to preserve a piece of football heritage, he decided to seek out the missing Chile sticker. After searching online, he found a seller and purchased it for £150.
Completion and Value
On the exact day FIFA announced the end of its partnership with Panini, Butler placed the final sticker in his album, completing a collection started 56 years earlier. Complete 1970s sticker books have fetched £7,000 to £10,000 at auction, but Butler has no intention of selling. 'It's a part of my life – it brings back interesting memories,' he said. 'My memories are not someone else's.'
Butler lives near Chichester with his wife Helen. Their three adult children are eager to inherit the album, but Butler jokes they will have to bid for it.
