One of the true legends of English football. RIP. Apparently he trained harder than practically any other keeper at that time. Used to finish training covered in bruises.
Sad news, a great man and goal keeper. It was sad enough when he lost the sight in one eye to put an end to a great caree. I remeber many times when watching england football on the TV as child I would leap up after thinking no way could he pull off a save and he did, many more times than most keepers would, My condolences to his family.
The Old Man would make a point of taking me as a nipper every time Chelsea faced Banks because he was "worth paying to see on his own." If he hadn't lost an eye in a car crash he would have undoubtedly gone on to be the greatest goalkeeper ever.
The Pele save will go down in history (it defied all known laws of physics!), but it was only one of many truly world class saves in his career. The one that specifically comes to mind is his penalty save from Geoff Hurst in the 1972 League Cup semi-final - unbelievable.
I had the great good fortune of being in his company on very many occasions up to very recently and the many stories of what a true gentleman he was are, I can assure you, understating the generosity of spirit the man possessed. He was one of life's true gentlemen. I first met him in the 80's when I was running a betting office in The Strand for Ladbrokes. Gordon was a member of the 'pools panel' and they used to meet every Saturday at The Savoy, opposite the shop, and they always came in for a bet on the Saturday afternoon.
Legend, hero, gentleman - sorry, I must have something in my eye.
Comments
Apparently he trained harder than practically any other keeper at that time. Used to finish training covered in bruises.
That save from Pele..........!
Remember when a boy at my school lost an eye and Gordon wrote to him as he too had lost an eye.
RIP
We would have won the WC twice if he had been well in Mexico.
A genuine great.
Never saw him play live, but the highlights iv'e seen of him are unbelievable.
One of the greatest ever Goalkeepers in the game!!
Why weren’t they all?
Greaters sporting achievement, and when you look at some that all these honours it just seems wrong.
Great player and a credit to the whole of football. RIP Mr Banks. Thanks for the memories.
The Pele save will go down in history (it defied all known laws of physics!), but it was only one of many truly world class saves in his career. The one that specifically comes to mind is his penalty save from Geoff Hurst in the 1972 League Cup semi-final - unbelievable.
I had the great good fortune of being in his company on very many occasions up to very recently and the many stories of what a true gentleman he was are, I can assure you, understating the generosity of spirit the man possessed. He was one of life's true gentlemen. I first met him in the 80's when I was running a betting office in The Strand for Ladbrokes. Gordon was a member of the 'pools panel' and they used to meet every Saturday at The Savoy, opposite the shop, and they always came in for a bet on the Saturday afternoon.
Legend, hero, gentleman - sorry, I must have something in my eye.
Rest in Peace, big fella.
RIP
Although he was a good age, this still feels like a shock, he was such a legend when I first got into football.
RIP