The world of football has been paying tribute to England 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks today, after he passed away at the age of 81.
The shot-stopper attributed with the “best save of all time” finally lost his fight with cancer in the early hours of this morning, leaving behind many, many happy memories and igniting thousands of stories and tributes from throughout the globe.
Banks was part of the starting Xl at Wembley when England defeated West Germany 4-2 to win their only ever World Cup and would go onto pick up a staggering 73 caps for his nation before his international retirement in 1972.
Domestically, the ‘keeper played for such clubs as Leicester City and Stoke City, becoming a legend at the latter before finishing his jewel-encrusted 19-year playing career while at Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the United States of America.
Check out a selection of the best of the tributes on Twitter from today, below…
A fierce opponent and a good man.
Rest in peace, Gordon Banks ???????#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/lAGgAulKuO
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) February 12, 2019
of course there was THAT save, but its so much more we are mourning today. RIP Gordon Banks. @England legend, your legacy will live on. All my thoughts with the family pic.twitter.com/iyAKdH2Mfm
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) February 12, 2019
One of the greatest saves of all time.??
RIP Gordon Banks. A true legend of the game. All my thoughts with your family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/HpgsJPfLUW
— Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) February 12, 2019
“He will forever be regarded as an @England great and as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.”https://t.co/DpNxlq40gC
— The FA (@FA) February 12, 2019
No photos or videos of that save versus Pelé will ever do it justice…a legend for all goalkeepers and a @LCFC great. RIP Gordon Banks ? pic.twitter.com/eNalek5WMi
— Kasper Schmeichel (@kschmeichel1) February 12, 2019
Goalkeeping has changed a lot since Gordon and I played. But if he were playing today, he would still be one of the very best. Rest in peace, my friend. https://t.co/NYDiEzY6VZ pic.twitter.com/EOYmMKbgPH
— Pelé (@Pele) February 12, 2019
