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Who is Gordon Banks? World Cup England great dead at 81 - Why was Gordon Banks famous?
GORDON Banks the world-famous goalkeeper known for placing a key part in the triumphant 1966 World Cup has died at the age of 81.
Gordon Banks recalls England's 1966 World Cup victory
England’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died, his former club Stoke City has said. He played a vital part in England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup which culminated in the famous 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final. Banks has been named Fifa goalkeeper of the year for six consecutive years between 1966 and 1971.
Stoke City FC confirmed the news on Twitter: “From the family of Gordon Banks.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon has 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.”
The 81-year-old was born in Sheffield and played for Stoke, Leicester and Chesterfield during his career.
He won the League Cup with Stoke and Leicester and retired in 1973, earning 73 caps for England.
Banks is well-known for his amazing Pele save during the 1970 World Cup against Brazil.
It is the moment he will always be remembered for and the phrase he become famous for was ‘Safe as the Banks of England.’
The BBC commentator David Coleman said at the time: “What a save. Gordon Banks. He picked that out of the net.”
He described the save as “lucky” which cemented his place in the history books along with his part in England’s World Cup win.
Banks added: “They won’t remember me for winning the World Cup. It will be for that save.”
His career started at Chesterfield and just 23 games later he signed for First Division club Leicester City for £7,000 in July 1959.
During his eight years at Leicester he was a runner-up in two FA Cup finals and one of his best performances is thought to be the 1963 FA Cup semi-final when Leicester City beat 1-0 at Hillsborough.
Banks joined Stoke in 1967 and stayed there until his retirement from professional football where he won the League Cup again in 1972.
He played in every game of the 1966 World Cup campaign and performed throughout the whole tournament.
Banks was acknowledged as the best goalkeeper in the game as England lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy.
His last game for England came in May 1972, with a 1-0 win against Scotland at Hamden Park.