Next to the 15 illustrious European Cups and Champions League trophies displayed on Real Madrid’s stadium tour sits an unexpected addition: a bull and matador sculpture. This remarkable piece, crafted by Royal Doulton, was created to commemorate Stoke City’s centenary in 1963. One sculpture was gifted to Real Madrid during their visit to the Victoria Ground for an iconic exhibition match, while the other remains securely housed at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium. A rare glimpse of Stoke’s version was offered during the club’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, marking their first recorded game—a 15-a-side 1-1 draw against EW May’s XV on October 17, 1868.
The sculpture, a limited edition of 500, was designed by renowned modeller Peggy Davies, inspired by Spanish bullfighting posters and her study of bull anatomy on farms around Staffordshire. Its creation was so intricate that only one in three survived the firing process. This unique piece provided much amusement to Real Madrid’s players, including Alfredo Di Stefano, when they toured the Burslem factory. The bull’s anatomy, complete with unaltered features, sparked laughter and surprise among the superstars. During the gift exchange, a moment of near-disaster unfolded as Sentinel photographer Trevor Slater’s flash box accidentally swung and struck the sculpture. Though the incident prompted gasps of alarm, Slater recalled that there was never any real danger of damage.
The match itself was a major coup for Stoke City, thanks to the efforts of manager Tony Waddington and the club’s board. Real Madrid, reigning European champions five times in the previous eight years and recent Spanish title winners, were paid £10,000 for their visit—half the gate receipts from a 44,914-strong crowd. The night was unforgettable. Stoke, rejuvenated by Stanley Matthews’ return, was chasing promotion to the top flight after a decade’s absence. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Stoke’s goals from Dennis Viollet and Jimmy McIlroy countered by strikes from Félix Ruiz and Ferenc Puskás. Puskás, though visibly past his physical prime, dazzled with his exceptional skill. The Sentinel’s Norman Gosling praised his masterful left foot, likening his passes to shots from a gun.
As a token of friendship, Stoke presented their guests with gifts of Spode china coffee sets and Doulton character jugs. Real Madrid’s president, Santiago Bernabéu, later sent a telegram expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality and hinting at a desire for a rematch. Decades later, the question lingers: could such an invitation still be on the table?
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