Gordon Banks was a legend in English football. Credit: Tottenham Hotspur / Twitter
England’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has passed away aged 81.
The 81-year-old has been heavily regarded as one of the sport’s greatest goalkeepers, being named FIFA goalkeeper of the year six times during his career as he earned 73 caps for the national side.
Aside from his triumphant World Cup campaign with England, Banks is also well-known for his incredible save to deny Pele during Brazil’s home World Cup in 1970.
Banks, born in Sheffield, won the League Cup with Stoke City and Leicester City respectively before retiring in 1973.
A family statement announced the sad passing:
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” his family said.
“We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”
Tributes to the goalkeeping great have poured in from across the world on social media.
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