You‘re in safe hands, Gordon
Four goalies carry coffin of England’s 1966 hero
Victoria Ground stood, the scene of Banks’ many heroics in a green Stoke jersey. As his coffin was taken into the Minster, soldiers from 16th Signal Regiment gave it a guard of honour, a nod to Banks serving in 1955-57 in the Royal Corps of Signals as part of his National Service. Mourners packed surrounding pavements, including 100 kids from Stoke Minster Primary in Stoke City scarves. At the entrance was a guard of honour made up of current Stoke City players, led by skipper Ryan Shawcross on one side and club legends on the other. Four Banks on England duty, 1963 goalies representing the shirts worn by Gordon in his glittering career shouldered his lily-covered coffin: Jack Butland (Stoke), Joe Hart (England), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City) and Joe Anyon (Chesterfield).
And the retired goalkeepers’ union was well-represented with Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence, Joe Corrigan, Jim Montgomery, David Seaman and Pat Jennings among the mourners.
A fragile-looking Jackie Charlton, who defended magnificently in front of Banks on that unforgettable day when England won the World Cup at Wembley in 1966, was helped into the Minster. He was one of three remaining Boys of ’66 who made it, along with two colleagues granted the title Banks was cruelly denied: Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst.
That was an issue on the minds of many locals yesterday. Sue Williams, 69, said at the Victoria Ground: “He was the greatest goalkeeper who has ever lived and deserved more respect than the country has shown him. He have had a knighthood years ago.” The poignant service, which lasted an hour-and-a-half, was, like the man himself, filled with warmth, generosity and laughter.
Canon Andrew Wickens opened it by telling the 100-plus invited congregation: “Today, we mourn one who was truly peerless, one who touched greatness.
We remember him as a superlative player, as someone who gave so much to this city, this nation and the world.”
In his address, Stoke chairman Peter Coates said: “He never refused anyone when they needed help. It would be hard to meet a nicer, modest, self-effacing man despite his fame.”
Sir Geoff Hurst followed, telling how his old friend was responsible for the worst moment of his career by saving a penalty in the 1972 League Cup semi. Pictures: ANDREW STENNING and JULIAN HAMILTON He hailed his outstanding courage and agility as a keeper before talking about the man, who always had a joke ready to lift the spirits: “He was a superstar on the field but off it a very ordinary guy with no airs and graces.”
Irish author Don Mullen, who wrote a book about Banks, paid warm tribute to his hero, saying he possibly saved him from life as a terrorist in war-torn Derry.
He called him “the people’s keeper, the supreme gentleman of football, an old-fashioned hero whose very modesty was the oxygen of dreams”.
Banks’ daughter Wendy thanked everyone for the love the family had received, calling her father “an ordinary man, with time for everyone, who did extraordinary things.” And summing up his optimism and humility, she said: “When we were coming home from a chemoshould REV GEOFFREY EZE
IN HIS EULOGY FOR BANKS
Peter Shilton, who filled Banks’ gloves for Leicester and England, with partner Stephanie Former Manchester rival keepers Stepney & Corrigan Sunderland veteran Jim Montgomery Goalkeeping greats Pat Jennings, Ray Clemence and David Seaman
therapy session, he said he’d had a good innings, a great life and had no regrets. He said he’d had a job he loved and he was paid for it, even though he would have done it for free. ‘But don’t tell them, Wend,’ he said.”
Reverend Geoffrey Eze got a standing ovation for a eulogy in which he spoke of Banks’s charity work, saying the “greatest saves he made were ones we’ll never know about”.
He added: “He was a footballing god but one who walked among me and you. He was so humble.”
The songs hit perfect pitch too. The football hymn Abide With Me opened the service, followed by the one many believe should be England’s national anthem – Jerusalem. And as the coffin was carried out, past a crowd whose numbers had swelled for one final glimpse of the legend, Frank Sinatra’s My Way aptly filled the afternoon air.
As he faced the final curtain, Gordon Banks’ people had done him proud.
He was a footballing god but one who walked among me and you