ENGLISH WORLD CUP-WINNING goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died aged 81.
One of his former clubs, Stoke City FC, confirmed the news this morning with a short statement from the 1966 World Cup champion’s family.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” the family announcement read.
“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”
Banks famously played one game for League of Ireland outfit St Pat’s. He lined out in Inchicore against Shamrock Rovers in October 1977 at the age of 40 — five years after his career was brought to an abrupt end after losing an eye in a car accident.
From the family of Gordon Banks
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight.
We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him. pic.twitter.com/mg5GIgSoBb
On loan from US outfit Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the time, he kept a clean sheet as the Saints beat Rovers 1-0.
The 73-time capped international produced a massive save to deny Brazil great Pele at Mexico 1970, and that’s lauded as one of the greatest-ever feats in goalkeeping.
Once a champion, always a champion 🦁🏆
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 12, 2019
We are deeply sorry to hear of the death of @England World Cup winner @thegordonbanks.
He was one of the game's greatest goalkeepers, a provider of stunning World Cup memories & a gentleman.
Our thoughts are with his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/tsD4c71Ixt
Banks won the League Cup with Stoke, where he was between the posts for six years after joining from Leicester City in 1967.
He also played for Chesterfield before making his name with the Foxes, with whom he won the League Cup with in 1964, and then with Cleveland Stokes and Hellenic in the latter days of his career.
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