HOW THE GAME PAID TRIBUTE TO LEGEND

SIR GEOFF HURST T

Very sad to hear Gordon has died. One of the very greatest. Thinking especially of Ursula, Julia, Wendy and Robert. Sad for football, Stoke and for England fans.

SIR SIC BOBBY CHARLTON C (left)

G Gordon was a fa fantastic g goalkeeper and I wa was proud to call him a team team-mate. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family.

GARETH SOUTHGATE

I am deeply saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing. An all-time great for England, I was privileged to be in his company on a number of occasions. It was particularly special to be with him at a Football Writers’ tribute dinner last year and wish him well on his 80th birthday. Gordon spoke to the room about that incredible save from Pele and moments like that from his remarkable World Cupwinning career linger long in the memory.

PAT JENNINGS

He was the greatest. Look at the pitches he played on. They were bumpy and muddy, and he coped with that. He also just wore cotton gloves or none at all. Bill Nicholson (former Spurs manager) got me tickets to all of England’s games in

the 1966 World Cup Finals, including the final, so I could watch him. Bill said it was part of the learning process.

RAY CLEMENCE

Someone I looked up to and a great mentor. I had the honour of training with him in his last couple of years with England. Definitely England’s greatest goalkeeper and will be sadly missed ... wonderful man.

GARY LINEKER

An absolute hero of mine, and countless others. England’s World Cup winner was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and such a lovely, lovely man.

PETER SCHMEICHEL

So sad to hear that one of my heroes and a true legend in life and football has passed away. An inspiration, a winner and a true gentleman.

GIANLUIGI BUFFON

I am one of the many who built their dreams on your perfect save! Once more, with all my heart: thank you, dear Gordon Banks.

BOB WILSON

This was a guy who I saw at Chesterfield when I used to stand behind his goal as a kid. We were together about six months ago at a lunch in London. I always made him laugh by saying ‘you were being a bit flash when you were young’. He said you had to put on a bit of entertainment for the crowd. It was my privilege to play against him in FA Cup semi-finals and get to know him well.

GERMAN FA

A fierce opponent and a good man. Rest in peace.