R.I.P. Gordon Banks. A true great. Saw him play countless times for Stoke City. He used to make saves as good if not better than the one he made in the World Cup against Brazil in 1970. Sad day for all football fans. The final whistle for another of the team of "66". :((
///He used to make saves as good if not better than the one he made in the World Cup against Brazil in 1970. ///
I agree, and am somewhat resentful of the big deal they make out of that one save, when he was an all-round fabulous goalkeeper who deserves more than just that one save as a glorious epitaph.
RIP Banksy, and thanks for some wonderful memories (not least 1966 which I still remember as if it was yesterday).
True Canary. I used to go to every home match back then, travelling from N. Wales with no dual carriageway roads. Some of his saves were unbelievable and non on camera sadly. No tipping the ball over for a corner, he used to catch it sometimes one handed. Brave as a lion too. Met him twice......proper gent and not liable to be critical of anyone. I will never forget the penalty save at Upton Park......won us the cup that year. My Dad just used to shake his head when Banksy pulled off another wonder save.
I think Pele's reaction was even more telling, Chill. He definitely thought he'd scored, raising his arms in triumph before realising that, somehow, Banksy had kept it out. Of course he will always be remembered for that save - and why ever not? - but he was FIFA's goalkeeper of the year 6 times on the spin, too. Those defenders who played in front of him didn't know they were born. RIP Gordon.
When my dad was doing his National Service (Royal Signals), back in the fifties, Gordon Banks played for the army. According to dad (sadly he is now dead, so I can't confirm this bit) he was also allowed to come back to the UK to play (they were based in Germany).