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 six times and earned 73 caps for England.
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 in his career.
He won the League Cup with Stoke and Leicester and retired in 1973.