Dies aged 81 (BBC)

RIP

Brilliant goalkeeper, I’d say the best in the world for a time. Sad news, another of our World Cup winners to leave us.

Englands greatest No1. RIP Gordon.

Very sad news.

The term 'great' is one that is often over-used, but for Gordon Banks it is entirely appropriate.

RIP.

Just seen this on the BBC site. Terrible shame.
I once scored against him on the beach at Abersoch.
RIP Gordon

That incredible save from Pele's downward header when he somehow scooped it away
still regarded as one of, if not the best save ever.

I think we'll be seeing that a lot on telly today.

Great goalkeeper. RIP.

RIP Gordon. A true great.

And we used to give him a bad back picking it out of the net.

Great keeper, great guy.
RIP Gordon Banks.

I remember when the late Eric Probert belted one past him on the Turf in a 1-1 draw.
That was in the early Seventies and I think was the youngest team we've ever put out.

Fabulous keeper.

I remember us beating Leicester 5-2 on the Turf. Despite conceding five he was the man of the match that day.

And that save from Pele in 1970. One of those moments you never forget.

Just heard on the radio...

A true "Great" in every sense of the word...

RIP Gordon you will always be a Legend

Met him once on a railway platform somewhere very nice guy

RIP Banksy

RIP Gordon and thanks for the fabulous memories.

In case you haven't seen that save :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLam4RAbg8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow thats a shock. Hadnt realised he was ill.

Only seen clips but that save vs Pele wss incredible. You know how good it was because its the benchmark for ANY Great save.

Always came accross well on TV.

Fantastic keeper and a very humble man. Rest in Peace and thanks for the memories.

His exploits for England is what he should rightly be remembered for, an excellent goalkeeper and right up there with anyone who ever played.

The save from Pele was incredible but he also stopped one from Rivelino that was hit with such power it was almost impossible to follow the ball.

I saw him at the Turf for Leicester, I think after the World Cup and we slotted 5 past him!

RIP Gordon Banks - Gentleman and Legend.

Funkydrummer wrote:RIP Gordon and thanks for the fabulous memories.

In case you haven't seen that save :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLam4RAbg8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bobby Moore said Pele shouted goal when he headed it.

Chip Harrison wrote:Bobby Moore said Pele shouted goal when he headed it.

Aye. Bobby was fluent in Portugese

Just look at the power Pele gets into that header.

Incredible football all round.

Great keeper and such a shame abvout the accident that robbed him of the sight in one eye and ended his career. I was only saying last night that some of Tom Heaton's best saves reminded me of Gordon Banks, then this goes and happens

Very, very sad news. One of the truly great players. Many people who saw him say/said Lev Yashin was the greatest keeper of all time. Well, Gordon Banks may well have been the second best. Arguably the best player in the 1966 WC team.

RIP Mr Banks.

Jel wrote:Just seen this on the BBC site. Terrible shame.
I once scored against him on the beach at Abersoch.
RIP Gordon

I met Gordon Banks not far from there at Butlins in Pwllheli when I was a kid. There was a football tournament that we played in and at the end Gordon Banks turned up to meet everyone and present medals. Just reading that he was FIFA World Goalkeeper of the year 6 times. That is some achievement. Standing by for endless reruns of THAT save from Pele - even now almost 50 years on, I can't work out how he saves that header.

Another of our World Cup winners leaves us. RIP Gordon Banks, one of the all time greatest goalkeepers.

Hendrickxz wrote:Great keeper and such a shame abvout the accident that robbed him of the sight in one eye and ended his career. I was only saying last night that some of Tom Heaton's best saves reminded me of Gordon Banks, then this goes and happens

I only mentioned this recently when Tom's saves were being discussed. The one from Charlie Austin at Southampton I described as Bankseque. For me, there can be no greater praise than one of your saves being mentioned in the same breath as the Banks save from Pele.

Great keeper.

RIP

ClaretTony wrote:I remember us beating Leicester 5-2 on the Turf. Despite conceding five he was the man of the match that day. Just seen this post from Former keeper Steve Cherry on his FB page.

And that save from Pele in 1970. One of those moments you never forget.

3 months i was invited to dinner with Mr Banks we asked Gordon his thoughts about the Pele save, in font of 200 people he replied "Well I thought it had gone in but when I saw it had gone over the bar I thought GORDON YOU LUCKY **** " he brought the house down xx
This is from former keepers Steve Cherry's FB page

Up there amongst the all-time greats of football.
Went to watch us play at Shrewsbury, 1980. Turned around in my seat and the great men himself was sat behind me. It wasn't that long after that accident, as his eye injury was very apparent.
He signed my program and had a few words with my Dad, our friends and, myself. He did the same at half time and, left a bit early but, sad 'Goodbye'.
Came across as a smashing bloke. He was watching us for Stoke, who we played next in the cup.
Many of the greats of those days weren't quite so far removed from the fans as a lot are today.

R.I.P Gordon.

Herts Clarets wrote:I only mentioned this recently when Tom's saves were being discussed. The one from Charlie Austin at Southampton I described as Bankseque. For me, there can be no greater praise than one of your saves being mentioned in the same breath as the Banks save from Pele.

I think I also used the phrase, " Banksesque ", when I saw that save from Austin !

to hear of Gordon's death RIP Gordon.

So that just leaves George Cohen,Jack Charlton,Nobby Stiles,Bobby Charlton,Martin Peters,Geoff Hurst,and Roger Hunt,from the starting 11 in the 1966 final.

Gordon joins,Bobby Moore,Ray Wilson,and Alan Ball in footballing heaven.

very sad news...Gordon Banks has been synonymous as world class goalkeeper throughout my life...great custodian!

Tragically lost an eye in a road accident which ended his playing career.

Another of the great England World Cup winners to have departed!

Will always be fondly remembered!

RIP Gordon

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Aye. Bobby was fluent in Portugese

Whilst I suspect Bobby wouldn't have claimed be a talented linguist, I think even he might have worked out " Gol ! ", might just mean " Goal " !!

Another one of our greats he was an outstanding goalkeeper and must have been an icon for many a keeper
I would imagine the only thing he missed out on seeing was another replication of another world cup or European winning team
Well your memory lives on and maybe in our next international quest we can honer it to you RIP to a true gent and world icon

What sad news, a bonafida all time great . Not a week goes by in any kind of English football from grassroots to prem league when the great man isn’t invoked after a wonder reflex save .

Just been on the radio Gordon was being interviewed about the save from Pele
To which Gordon replied "You know I will be glad when that save goes in"

I first saw him play in a friendly/benefit at TM, I think it was about 1959/60 ish, not sure what the occasion was but I think it ended something like 5-5 (as those games are apt) and I watched from right at the front of the Bee Hole End near the goals (not a usual spot for me). As a parochial youngster I was quite taken with how oriental he looked and, even at that age, could see what an good/ agile keeper he was.
I recall Denis Law also played in that game as an upcoming talent (I think he was still at Hudd).

Saw Banks many times thereafter playing against us and playing for England. Terrific keeper, definitely up there with the best.

AlargeClaret wrote:What sad news, a bonafida all time great . Not a week goes by in any kind of English football from grassroots to prem league when the great man isn’t invoked after a wonder reflex save .

Don't know who it was against or when now, but remember Alan Stephenson pulling off one very similar save at the Turf once.
And that's how I described it, "One of Gordon Banks saves!"

ClaretTony wrote:Brilliant goalkeeper, I’d say the best in the world for a time. Sad news, another of our World Cup winners to leave us.

He was voted FIFA " Goalkeeper of the year " for 6 straight seasons, between 1966 - 1971, so I think you're on some safe ground there, CT !

Touch of class from the German FA .... fair play to them !

https://twitter.com/DFB_Team_EN

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Aye. Bobby was fluent in Portugese

Same word.

Buxtonclaret wrote:Don't know who it was against or when now, but remember Alan Stephenson pulling off one very similar save at the Turf once.
And that's how I described it, "One of Gordon Banks saves!"

1972/73. Burnley 1 Bristol City 1. Could have lost 1-5 but for Stevenson's performance, and that save was getting on for as good as Banks's, maybe as good.

Quicknick wrote:1972/73. Burnley 1 Bristol City 1. Could have lost 1-5 but for Stevenson's performance, and that save was getting on for as good as Banks's, maybe as good.

Could well have been, Nick.
I was on with my dad. And it was when Alan was really at his best.

RIP. true legend.
a worthy minutes silence required.

Just read this line at the end of the obituary on the BBC website.

"the goalkeeper who made the save by which all others are still measured."

Perfectly summed up.

R.I.P. Gordon Banks.. A true footballing legend.

Lead item on BBC News this lunchtime and rightly so!

A couple of years ago I was stood next to Gordon Banks at the bar at Chatsworth House at Christmas. As he ordered his drinks the barmaid said “Didn’t you used to play in goal for England?” “Yes” said Gordon rather quietly.
“I knew you did, can I have your autograph Mr. Shilton?” said the barmaid.
We both fell about laughing much to the puzzlement of the barmaid.

RIP Gordon. You were the greatest.

Great, great goal keeper. He was up there with Colin McDonald. RIP.

Top Top Keeper. RIP Gordon Banks........World Cup Winner

R.I.P Sir

ElectroClaret wrote:I remember when the late Eric Probert belted one past him on the Turf in a 1-1 draw.
That was in the early Seventies and I think was the youngest team we've ever put out.

Fabulous keeper.

I was thinking about this today, I remember he once said that was the best goal that ever went past him.

Fabulous goalkeeper and you were always aware of it when Burnley played against him and it seemed to give Stoke an edge that I have never seen since. Then there was 'that' save.

RIP Gordon Banks.