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English Football Legends Series

Gordon Banks was England's 1966 World Cup winning keeper and arguably the greatest goalkeeper in the history of English, if not world, football.

Gordon Banks

Clubs: Chesterfield, Leicester City, Stoke CIty

Position: Goalkeeper

Appearances*: 565

Honours: League Cup, 2
World Cup, 1

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* League appearances only

Agile and alert, he frequently made amazing reflex saves, including one from Pele, which is widely regarded as the greatest save ever.

Chesterfield and Leicester City

Banks began his career with Chesterfield, signing a professional contract shortly after completing his national service.

He made his first team debut in a Third Division match against Colchester United in November 1958.

However, he played just 23 games for the club before Leicester City paid 7,000 pounds for his services.

He quickly established himself as Leicester's first choice keeper and played for the club in the 1961 FA Cup final, losing to Double-winners Tottenham.

England Debut

Banks continued to excel in goal for Leicester, and his performances brought him to the attention of new England boss, Alf Ramsey.

He made his international debut in April 1963, and although England lost 2-1 to Scotland, his performance earned the praise of the manager, and he played in 13 of the next 15 internationals.

FA Cup heartbreak, League Cup joy

In 1963, he was again on the losing side in the FA Cup as Man United's Busby Babes lifted the trophy.

But there was some consolation in 1964 as Leicester won the League Cup, beating Stoke City 4-3 on aggregate. The following season they were back in the final, but this time lost to Chelsea.

The 1966 World Cup

By the time the 1966 World Cup came around, Gordon Banks was indisputably England's first-choice goalkeeper.

He played in all five games leading up to the final, conceding just once, from the penalty spot.

In the final, England faced West Germany and a Geoff Hurst hat-trick - the second highly controversial - gave England a 4-2 victory.

Gordon Banks 28 years old, had 33 England caps, and was a world champion.

Stoke City

Meanwhile, at club level, he faced a new challenge - from the 17-year-old, Peter Shilton. When Shilton told Leicester he would only sign a professional contract if he was guaranteed first team football, the club had a choice to make.

Amazingly, they chose the youngster over the World Cup winner, and a year after winning the World Cup, Banks was placed on the transfer list.

He moved to Stoke City but remained firmly entrenched as England's No.1.

England finished third in the 1968 European Championships and a year later Gordon Banks earned his 50th cap.

Mexico, 1970

In 1970 he was awarded an OBE as England set off for Mexico to defend their world crown.

England won their first group game, and in the second faced tournament favourites Brazil.

The Greatest Save

Ten minutes into the match Brazil launched an attack from the right wing, Jairzinho beating Terry Cooper and delivering a high dipping cross.

Banks was positioned at the near post, but had to turn quickly as the ball sailed towards the back post, where Pele was waiting.

The Brazilian legend met the ball with a firm downward header towards the near post corner, and turned away in celebration.

Banks was still adjusting for Jairzinho's cross and it seemed impossible for him to get to the ball. Yet he hurled himself downwards and backwards, got the base of his thumb to the ball, and somehow managed to divert it over the bar.

Pele, would later describe the save as the greatest he'd ever seen.

Defeat to Germany

Brazil still won the game 1-0, but England progressed to the knock-out phases where they met their old foes Germany.

The day before the game Banks was taken ill with an upset stomach, and when he failed to recover Peter Bonetti was handed the keepers jersey.

England raced into a 2-0 lead, but the Germans fought back to level things, before winning it in extra-time. Much has been made of Bonetti's role in the defeat, although in fairness he was only at fault for Germany's first goal.

Nonetheless, the holders were out. Banks would not feature in the World Cup again.

Footballer of the Year

At club level, Stoke reached the semi-final of the 1972 League Cup, thanks to a sublime penalty save by Banks from his England team-mate Geoff Hurst.

In the final Stoke defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley, but there was no such luck in the FA Cup where they lost to Arsenal in the semi-final of both the 1971 and 1972 competitions.

Also in 1972, Banks earned his 73rd England cap, and was voted Football Writers' Footballer Of The Year.

Retirement

Banks was 34-years-old and at the peak of his career, but on 22 October 1972, he was involved in a car accident which resulted in him losing the sight in his right eye.

No longer able to play at the top level, he went into scouting, and later managed non-league side Telford United.

In April 1977, he joined North American Soccer League side, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, where he played alongside George Best.

His final appearance came on 17 June 1978, after which the legendary keeper hung up his gloves for good.

Gordon Banks was an inaugural inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

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