Joe Nunez was one of hundreds who packed the British pub The Olde Ship (www.theoldeship.com)  in Santa Ana during World Cup fever, but he was the only one who walked out of there with a signed Pelé jersey under his arm.

Nunez entered a contest sponsored by Sagatiba rum on the OC Weekly’s web site hoping to win one of five signed jerseys that once belonged to soccer legend Edison Arantes do Nascimento, best known by his nickname Pelé. The retired Brazilian football player is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time and in his native Brazil, Pelé is hailed as a national hero.

Simon Collier, owner of the Olde Ship British pub joined with OC Weekly to promote the Sagatiba rum contest and was delighted when over 500 people entered to win the coveted Pelé shirt. According to Collier, people could visit the OC Weekly site and enter the contest for free, or come into the Olde Ship and get a raffle ticket.

Olde Ship bartender David Hill concocted several summer cocktail specials using the Brazilian Sagatiba rum, including the ‘Pelé Shot’, the ‘Brazilian Bombshell’, ‘3 lions’ and the ‘Rockin’ Rio Martini’. 

Nunez said he was ‘blown away’ when he saw the prize jersey, “It’s framed and matted and is very impressive, I’m looking for the perfect place to hang it’ he said.  Nunez who was born in South America said that he has always loved to watch soccer games. He said he headed to the Olde Ship for some soccer camaraderie when none of his friends were willing to get up early to watch the World Cup games.  “It was fun to join in with all the English countrymen singing and having a good time – the ambiance was great!”  Nunez said that he is a regular at the Olde Ship in Santa Ana because he loves listening to the Beatles tribute bands play, and to enjoy the best fish and chips around.

Lynne Waterson, Manager of the Olde Ship noted that the Sagatiba specialty cocktails will be available all summer long at both the Santa Ana and Fullerton Olde Ship locations and that the pub and restaurant would be debuting some new menu items at Fullerton’s Restaurant Week including Salmon Wellington, Fisherman’s Pie and traditional British desserts such as Victoria Sponge and Pears in Red Wine as well as a summer favorite – Lemon Meringue tart available August 1 through August 7th only.

The Santa Ana location at 1120 W. 17th Street in Santa Ana celebrated its 10th Anniversary on July 17th of this year, and the Fullerton location at 709 N. Harbor Boulevard has delivered drinks and camaraderie for over 17 years. The pub and restaurants offer over 20 varieties of beers on tap, twenty plus single malts along with a traditional British food menu.