Legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died at the age of 81.
The World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Banks passed away with family at his side after his health deteriorated significantly in recent weeks and he leaves behind wife Ursula and their three children Julia, Robert
The former Stoke and Leicester City goalkeeper endured battles with cancer for many years and in recent months had been undergoing gruelling spells of chemotherapy.
Stoke confirmed the news on Tuesday morning on Twitter writing: “From the family of Gordon Banks. It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight.”
“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”
Four years after lifting the World Cup his worldwide fame rocketed again thanks to his so-called ‘save of the century’ to deny Pele and Brazil in the 1970 finals.
Banks rose through the ranks in his early years playing for Chesterfield and Leicester before joining Stoke in 1967 and he quickly became a key figure in the Potters side.
He won the League Cup with Stoke in 1972 but later that year saw his career cut short after a car accident left him blind in one eye.
Tributes soon flooded in when the news broke on Tuesday with former England striker Gary Lineker hailing Banks as his ‘hero’.
Lineker wrote: “Oh no. Gordon Banks, an absolute hero of mine, and countless others, has died. @England’s World Cup winner was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and such a lovely, lovely man. RIPGordon”.
Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling added: “Of course there was THAT save, but its so much more we are mourning today. RIP Gordon Banks. @England legend, your legacy will live on. All my thoughts with the family.”
His effect on the footballing world was huge and governing body FIFA hailed him as a champion: ‘Once a champion, always a champion.
“We are deeply sorry to hear of the death of @England World Cup winner @thegordonbanks. He was one of the game’s greatest goalkeepers, a provider of stunning World Cup memories & a gentleman. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.”
8 Comments
Oh dear! The goalkeeper “with the greatest save in history” is no more. A true legend.
Rest in peace sir.
https://youtu.be/ngE9RCAdWaE
Never heard of him before. Maybe I am not “current” enough. However, after watching that video clip, I think he was truly a legend.
Let us remember to always celebrate these heroes while they are still here with us.
Rest in the bossom of the Lord Mr Banks.
This English people can so hype their own…?! Ive seen De gea make more astonishing saves.
I met him once about 17 years ago when he walked into the pub I was running at the time. A true gentleman of the game and a legend.
World Cup winner 1966. And that save was against the greatest of them all Pele
Really!!!! Oh mate! Would have so loved to meet him.
I was working at Staples somes years back and David Seaman came to make a purchase.
He didn’t have the ponny-tail but he gave me a smile…..
Fantastic, I ran the Coopers Bar at Euston Station. I also had Ledley King (Spurs) come in and he asked if I could do a lock-in at closing time, and Fabrice Muamba passed by as well as did Rio Ferdinand.
Euston station is very strategic for football stars coming into London from Manchester, Birmingham and further afield
Ledley King….. What a defender. No nonsense yet suave in the way he went about his business. Really loved him in England Jersey.
His dodgy knee just didn’t let him be; eventually he had to retire as a result … Shame. Good bloke…
I worked for Thistle Hotels (head office) and we had one brach by Euston Station. They gave up many of their hotels so I am not too sure whether they still own the one by Euston Station.
I just like the Burger King at Euston. You might just have seen me doing justice to a Double Whooper burger meal 🙂
One of the Greatest ever goalkeepers and a very humble man. RIP.