WORLD CUP HERO BANKS DIES AT 81

TRIBUTES PAID TO ONE OF THE ALL-TIME ENGLAND GREATS

SIR GEOFF HURST and Sir Bobby Charlton led the tributes today to their 1966 World Cup-winning England team-mate Gordon Banks, who has died aged 81.

Banks, widely regarded as England’s greatest goalkeeper, “passed away peacefully overnight”, said a statement from his family published on the website of Stoke City, where he played from 1967-73. In 2015, Banks revealed he was fighting kidney cancer for the second time.

He is survived by his wife Ursula and their three children, Robert, Wendy and Julia.

Hurst wrote on Twitter: “Very sad to hear the news that Gordon has died. One of the very greatest.

“Thinking especially of Ursula, Julia, Wendy and Robert. Sad for football, Stoke City and for England fans. Will be very sadly missed.”

Banks made 510 league appearances for Chesterfield, Leicester and Stoke and won 73 senior international caps. He was one of the stars of England’s World Cup triumph in 1966, which culminated with victory over West Germany in the Final at Wembley.

He will always be remembered for a remarkable save he made to deny Pele against Brazil in the 1970 tournament in Mexico. Banks lost the sight in his right eye after being injured in a road accident in 1972 and retired at the age of 34 as a result.

Charlton said: “Gordon was a fantastic goalkeeper, without doubt one of the best England have ever had. I was proud to call him a team-mate.

“Obviously we shared that great day in 1966 but it was more than that. Even though I was on the pitch and have seen it many times since, I still don’t know how he saved that header from Pele. Gordon will be deeply missed.”

England manager Gareth Southgate said: “It was particularly special to be with him at a Football Writers’ tribute dinner last year and to wish him well on his 80th birthday. Gordon spoke about that incredible save from Pele and moments l i ke that from his remarkable career will linger long in the memory.”