England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, universally acclaimed as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.
Gordon Banks was born on 30 December 1937 in Abbeydale, Sheffield, and raised in the working-class district of Tinsley before his family moved to the village of Catcliffe after his father opened a betting shop. Banks left school at 15 to work as a coal bagger, physical labour that helped build the upper-body strength that would later serve him as a goalkeeper, before signing with Chesterfield and then moving to Leicester City, where he established himself as one of the finest young goalkeepers in the country. Banks won the League Cup with Leicester in 1964 before joining Stoke City in 1967, but it was with England that he built his enduring legacy. He was ever-present in goal as England won the 1966 World Cup on home soil, keeping a string of clean sheets through the tournament and conceding only three goals across six matches — including the final against West Germany, which England won 4-2 after extra time. Banks produced what is widely regarded as the greatest save in World Cup history at the 1970 tournament in Mexico, somehow clawing a downward header from Pelé over the crossbar in a group match against Brazil — a moment Pelé himself later called the best save ever made against him. Banks was named FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year in six consecutive seasons from 1966 to 1971, a run of dominance at his position that remains unmatched. A car accident in 1972 cost Banks the sight in his right eye and ended his top-flight career prematurely, though he continued playing in the North American Soccer League for several years afterward. He earned 73 caps for England and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. Banks died on 12 February 2019 at the age of 81, having outlived teammate Bobby Moore but predeceasing several of his 1966 World Cup-winning colleagues.
The greatest save ever made against Pelé in 1970 World Cup
His save from Pelé's header at the 1970 World Cup is widely considered the greatest save in football history — Pelé himself said he thought it was a goal.
Did You Know?How They Played
Athletic shot-stopper with exceptional reflexes, outstanding positioning and distribution
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized goalkeeping with athletic ability and positioning, considered among the greatest goalkeepers in football history
Career Honours
- World Cup 1966
- League Cup 1972
- FIFA GK of Year 6x
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield | 1958–1959 | — | 23 | 0 |
| Leicester City | 1959–1967 | — | 293 | 0 |
| Stoke City | 1967–1973 | — | 194 | 0 |
| Cleveland Stokers | 1967–1967 | loan | 7 | 0 |
| Hellenic | 1971–1971 | loan | 3 | 0 |
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 1977–1978 | — | 37 | 0 |
| St Patrick's Athletic | 1977–1977 | loan | 1 | 0 |
 England | — | — | 73 | — |