Profiles of the Legends: Gordon Banks
by Steve Amoia for Keeper Skool

Image courtesy of Don Mullan and A Little Book Company.

Gordon Banks, OBE, was born in Sheffield, England in 1933. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 for Chesterfield. He was 6 feet in height, or 1.83 meters. He was affectionately known as "Banks of England." Mr. Banks was noted for very quick reflexes and exemplary positional ability. According to a poll by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), Mr. Banks was named as the second best keeper after Lev Yashin. In the modern era, England has produced two of the best international goalkeepers: Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. Ironically, one followed the other for the Three Lions.

Professional Clubs

• Chesterfield
• Leister City
• Stoke City
• Cleveland Stokers (During 1967, Stoke City played a handful of games in the USA in an attempt to promote soccer to North Americans).
• St. Patrick's Athletic
• Ft. Lauderdale Strikers

Career Honors

• 73 international appearances for England. According to Planet World Cup, he allowed 57 goals.
• Goals against average for England: 0.78.
• Competed at two World Cups: 1966 and 1970. He had 6 clean sheets.
• World Cup Champion with England in 1966.
• Competed at the European Nations Cup of 1968.
• League Cup Winner with Stoke City in 1964.
• Football Writers Player of the Year in 1972.
• Named to 125 Best Living Footballers in 2004.
• Sheffield Walk of Fame in 2006.
• Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Promotional Video for Mr. Don Mullan's Memoir "A Hero Who Could Fly"

Famous Save Against Pelé at World Cup 1970 in Guadalajara, Mexico

He is forever linked with one of the greatest individual moments in World Cup history. During a group round match, on a powerfully headed ball by Pelé, he somehow made a save for the ages.

"In Banks of England, he wrote:

'Pele got above the ball and powered it low and hard towards the corner of the net. It was the perfect header. I was now into a dive to my right and as the ball hit the ground just in front of my goal-line I flicked it with my outstretched right hand as it came up.'

The ball, miraculously, rose and cleared the bar for a corner. No one, least of all Pele, could take it in. The Brazilian ace shouted "Goal!" as the ball left his head, so certain was he of scoring. Later, he was to tell everyone that it was the greatest save he had ever seen.

Pictures show Banks outstretched, his body extended and frozen horizontally, as he made crucial contact with the ball. An athlete captured at the supreme moment of his skill."

Source: International Football Hall of Fame.

"I was already shouting Goooaaalll! when Banks, like a salmon leaping up a falls, threw himself in the air and managed to tip the ball so that it slid over the crossbar! It was, in my opinion, the most spectacular save of the tournament, an impossible play, but Banks made it. And soon afterward he made an equally impressive save on a free kick which again I was sure would be a goal. For me, Banks was the leading goalkeeper of the 1970 games, and quite possibly the leading defender in any position." Pelé

Source: My Life and The Beautiful Game, Pelé with Robert L. Fish, page 258.

His North American Experience

In 1972, after a car accident, he lost sight in his right eye. He decided to finish his stellar career in the desert of world football. Beginning in 1977, he played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. I am honored to say that I saw him play on a few occasions.

"Despite his handicap, Banks was voted the League's most valuable goalkeeper in his first season.
The Barnum and Bailey showmanship of the American game, however, wasn't quite to his taste. Publicity stunts and gimmicks were the order of the day and Banks was quoted as saying:

'I felt like a circus act . . . Roll up, roll up, to see the greatest one-eyed goalkeeper in the world.'

On one occasion, Banks found himself being driven on to the pitch in a hearse. He then helped to carry a coffin to the centre circle where the team's manager, dressed as Dracula, jumped out as the public announcer told fans: 'Lauderdale Strikers are coming back from the dead.'

The reason for this bizarre ritual? The Strikers had lost two games in a row!"

Source: International Football Hall of Fame.

Yes, that was life, or death, in the old NASL... ;-)

Rare Video of George Best and Gordon Banks

They played against each other in England, and as you will see from this video clip, internationally. Ironically, they teamed together in North America at Fort Lauderdale. George Best was a legend for Northern Ireland and Manchester United. He was one of the greatest players to ever grace world football.

Statue Will Be Unveiled by Pelé

On 12 July 2008, Mr. Banks will be honored in a very special manner. A statue of him will be unveiled at the Brittania Stadium, home of one of his former clubs, Stoke City. There will be a charity exhibition: Banks XI v. Pelé XI.

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu will also be in attendance, acting as assistant manager to the Pelé XI to celebrate Banks's charity work in Africa.

'I hope it's not an omen, normally they only put up statues of people that are dead,' joked Banks.

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes said: 'Stoke City are honoured to be able to locate the statue of Gordon Banks here at the Britannia Stadium. The charity match will be a wonderful festival and will raise awareness and money for all the causes involved on the day.'

Banks, who played for Stoke between 1966 and 1972, said: 'It would be absolutely fantastic if the statue can come at the same time that Stoke City get promoted back to the top flight.' "

Source: BBC Sport: Stoke to Host Banks Versus Pele, 03 April 2008.

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He writes for Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.