Legendary England goalkeeper Banks dies

London, Feb. 12: Gordon Banks, England’s goalkeeper during their triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke City announced on Tuesday.

His family said the 73times capped Banks, who lost an eye in a car crash in 1972, had passed away in his sleep.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” his family said.

“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”

Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat- trick in the 4- 2 win over West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley, tweeted a fulsome tribute to his former team- mate.

“Very sad to hear the news that Gordon has died. One of the very greatest,” tweeted 77- yearold Hurst.

Banks, who played in every game of the 1966

“He was the best at that time. We had some great goalkeepers in those days, and the only person I can think came near was Pat Jennings,” said Mullery.

“He was absolutely marvellous goalkeeper. He was a likeable man, and when it came to business, he was probably the best there has ever been.”

Banks, whose club playing career revolved largely around Stoke and Leicester City, is the latest of the 1966 team to pass away. Another former Leicester and England legend Gary Lineker — albeit from a later generation — also tweeted his appreciation of Banks, whose sole trophies at club level were two League Cups, one piece with Stoke and Leicester. “Oh no. Gordon Banks, an absolute hero of mine, and countless others, has died,” tweeted Lineker.

“@ England’s World Cup winner was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and such a lovely, lovely man. # RIPGordon.”