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Football

12th Feb 2019

Legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks dies, aged 81

Simon Lloyd

The goalkeeper won the World Cup with England in 1966

Former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died aged 81, it has been announced.

Banks played every game for England during their glorious 1966 World Cup campaign and is also well known for the iconic save he made to deny Pele during a game against Brazil in the 1970 tournament in Mexico.

Born in Sheffield in 1937, Banks started his career with Chesterfield before spells with Leicester City and Stoke City.

He earned his first England cap in 1963 in a game against Scotland.

As well as the 1966 World Cup, where he played in every game for England, Banks also won two League Cup titles – the first with Leicester in 1964; the other with Stoke eight years later.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” his family said on Tuesday.

“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”