Tributes have poured in for the legendary England, Stoke and Leicester goalkeeper Gordon Banks who has died aged 81.
Gordon Banks was part of England’s World Cup winners in 1966.
Perhaps his most famous save was a shot from Brazilian star Pele in the Mexico World Cup in 1970. but was absent due to illness when England were knocked out by West Germany at the quarter-final stage.
In December 2015, it was announced Banks was receiving treatment for kidney cancer and he passed away on 12 February 2019, aged 81.
The legendary keeper made 628 appearances during a 15-year career in the Football League, with 73 caps for England.
Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Banks was FWA Footballer of the Year in 1972, and FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year on six occasions.
His goalkeeping career started at Chesterfield in March 1953, moving to Leicester City in 1959. Banks was Stoke City’s keeper in the 1972 League Cup win, the club’s only major honour, and was still Stoke and England’s number one when a car crash in October 1972 cruelly cost him both the sight in one eye and his professional career.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright called Banks “one of the greatest goalkeepers” today.
Gary Lineker called Gordon Banks “an absolute hero.”
Current Leicester City goalkeeper Harry Maguire paid tribute too.
As did former Everton and Wales keeper, Neville Southall.
Comedian John Bishop paid tribute to “a gentleman and a football legend.”
