England’s 1966 goalie dies

World Cup-winning Banks ‘best ever’

London – Gordon Banks, England’s goalkeeper during their triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke City announced yesterday. His family said the 73times capped Banks, who lost an eye in a car crash in 1972, had died 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 teammate. “Very sad to hear the news that Gordon has died. One of the very greatest,” tweeted the 77-year-old Hurst. Banks, who played in every game of the 1966 campaign on home soil, is probably best known for a wonder save he produced to deny Brazilian great Pele in a 1970 World Cup group match. “Once I got my hand to it I hadn’t a clue where it was going,” he modestly said afterwards.

Pele – who would go on to lift the trophy – admitted later he had said “goal”, so sure was he that the ball was heading into the net. Brazil still won the game 1-0. However, Banks later recounted that he did not appreciate the remark made by his teammate, midfielder Alan Mullery, that day. “I patted him on his head, and I said ‘why didn’t you catch it?’ and the abuse that came back was unbelievable,” said Mullery.

Mullery said Banks was probably the best goalkeeper he had played with or against. “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 a marvellous goalkeeper. He was a likeable man, and when it came to business, he was probably the best there has ever been.”