World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks dies aged 81
- World Cup hero made the 'greatest save ever'
- In pictures: England's World Cup goalkeeper
- How he left Pele dumbfounded in 1970
England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died at the age of 81, his former club Stoke have announced.
The news was revealed in a statement from the Banks family on the club's official website.
From the family of Gordon Banks
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
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
It said: "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.
"We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time."
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 1966 World Cup triumph against West Germany.
Oh no. Gordon Banks, an absolute hero of mine, and countless others, has died. @England's World Cup winner was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and such a lovely, lovely man. #RIPGordon
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 12, 2019
He will always be remembered for a remarkable save he made to deny Brazil superstar Pele four years later in Mexico.
of course there was THAT save, but its so much more we are mourning today. RIP Gordon Banks. @England legend, your legacy will live on. All my thoughts with the family pic.twitter.com/iyAKdH2Mfm
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) February 12, 2019
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.