HEATON: BANKS’ ADVICEPAYSOFF

TOM HEATON has revealed the inspirational advice from World Cup legend Gordon Banks which put him on the road to being an England goalkeeper.

The FA will honour 1966 hero Banks (below) at the Czech Republic qualifier tomorrow with a minute’s appreciation, banners and donations to charity.

Burnley keeper Heaton (top), 32, who has returned from injury to get back in the squad, met Banks when he was starting out and will never forget his help.

Heaton said: “I was fortunate to meet him a while ago at my dad’s golf course.

“I had a quick chat with him and he was brilliant towards a young goalkeeper at the time.

“I asked him a few different questions about what sort of advice he would have for me. Only straightforward stuff, but a brilliant moment for me to have such a hero, really, to give me some really good words of advice.

“I was about 20, I think, around about that. It was just along the basis of ‘What work you put in, you get out’ – as straightforward as that, really.

“That and, I remember him telling me, to make sure I enjoyed it.

“And he is right. You have certainly got to appreciate it.

“I have found that myself, coming back after being out so long.

“You get an appreciation for being out there and enjoying every moment of it.”