When The English Cheese Maiden Fed Footballers And Took Benny Hill’s Cream

In 1962, Lancashire’s Burnley FC and London club Tottenham Hotspur contested the English FA Cup final. At Burnley’s home ground, Turf Moor, English Cheese maiden Pat Roberts presented a 40lb cheese to Burnley captain Jimmy Adamson.

 

English Cheese maiden Pat Roberts presents a 40lb cheese to Burnley captain Jimmy Adamson. Ref #: PA.12030540  Date: 02/05/1962

English Cheese maiden Pat Roberts presents a 40lb cheese to Burnley captain Jimmy Adamson.
Ref #: PA.12030540
Date: 02/05/1962

 

The Cheese Maiden was selected by the English Country Cheese Council, part of the National Milk Publicity Council, established in 1923. The body aimed to promote the consumption of milk, real dairy cream and English cheese.

 

 

Having presented the huge cheese, Maiden Roberts ensured the players were seen eating the thing.

 

Adam Blacklaw, the Burnley goalkeeper, sampling a piece of cheese held by Pat Roberts, the "English Cheese Maiden", who presented the team with a 40lb Lancashire cheese. Ref #: PA.8519796

Adam Blacklaw, the Burnley goalkeeper, sampling a piece of cheese held by Pat Roberts, the “English Cheese Maiden”, who presented the team with a 40lb Lancashire cheese.
Ref #: PA.8519796

Jimmy Adamson, the Burnley captain, watched by his team mates, samples a piece of Lancashire cheese offered by English Cheese maiden Pat Roberts who presented the team with a 40lb cheese. Ref #: PA.12030529

Jimmy Adamson, the Burnley captain, watched by his team mates, samples a piece of Lancashire cheese offered by English Cheese maiden Pat Roberts who presented the team with a 40lb cheese.
Ref #: PA.12030529

 

Burnley lost to Tottenham 3–1. Lancashire cheese power was not enough to defeat Spurs’ jellied eels.

Is it all a bit weird? Certainly.

But, then, the Cheese Maiden has a history of luring men with her tempting cheese.

 

The Chelsea Pensioner and the Cheese Maiden

The Chelsea Pensioner and the Cheese Maiden

 

And here’s Benny Hill ofering the Daiury Queen’s his “cream” as The English Cheese Maiden looks on.

 

Majorie Watson, The Dairy Queen of 1959, of Goole, Yorkshire, is offered milk and cream by 'milkman' Benny Hill, during a press party to unveil the plans for Britain's June Dairy Festival at the Ambassadors Theatre, London. Seated behind her is The English Cheese Maiden, 20 year old Marylyn Hardy of Leeds.  Ref #: PA.8519703  Date: 18/05/1960

Majorie Watson, The Dairy Queen of 1959, of Goole, Yorkshire, is offered milk and cream by ‘milkman’ Benny Hill, during a press party to unveil the plans for Britain’s June Dairy Festival at the Ambassadors Theatre, London. Seated behind her is The English Cheese Maiden, 20 year old Marylyn Hardy of Leeds.
Ref #: PA.8519703
Date: 18/05/1960

 

 

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