View source for Gordon Banks

{{Short description|English footballer (1937–2019)}}
{{about|the English international footballer|other people}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Gordon Banks <br /> {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}}
| image = Gordon Banks 2007.jpg
| caption = Banks in 2007
| birth_date = {{birth date|1937|12|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Sheffield]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|2|12|1937|12|30|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Madeley, Staffordshire]], England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Strack-Zimmermann |first=Benjamin |title=Gordon Banks (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/17951/Gordon_Banks.html |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=www.national-football-teams.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gordon Banks |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe41484/gordon-banks/ |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=worldfootball.net |date=4 March 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gordon Banks – Player Profile – Football |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/gordon-banks_prs202301/person.shtml |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=Eurosport }}</ref>
| position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| youthyears1 = 1953
| youthclubs1 = Millspaugh
| youthyears2 = 1953
| youthclubs2 = [[Rawmarsh Welfare F.C.|Rawmarsh Welfare]]
| youthyears3 = 1953
| youthclubs3 = Millspaugh
| youthyears4 = 1953–1958
| youthclubs4 = [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]
| years1 = 1958–1959
| clubs1 = [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]
| caps1 = 23
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1959–1967
| clubs2 = [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
| caps2 = 293
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1967–1973
| clubs3 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| caps3 = 194
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1967
| clubs4 = → [[Cleveland Stokers]] (loan)
| caps4 = 7
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1971
| clubs5 = → [[Hellenic F.C.|Hellenic]] (loan)
| caps5 = 3
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 1977–1978
| clubs6 = [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]]
| caps6 = 37
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 1977
| clubs7 = → [[St Patrick's Athletic F.C.|St Patrick's Athletic]] (loan)
| caps7 = 1
| goals7 = 0
| totalcaps = 558
| totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1961
| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-23 football team|England U23]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1963–1972
| nationalteam2 = [[England national football team|England]]
| nationalcaps2 = 73
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| manageryears1 = 1979–1980
| managerclubs1 = [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|ENG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]|}}
}}
'''Gordon Banks''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (30 December 1937 – 12 February 2019) was an English professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]]. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/gordon-banks/ |access-date=15 May 2022|title=Gordon Banks &#124; National Football Museum Hall of Fame profile }}</ref> he made 679 appearances during a 20-year professional career, and won 73 [[Cap (sport)|cap]]s for [[England national football team|England]], highlighted by starting every game of the nation's [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966 World Cup]] victory.

Banks joined [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] in March 1953 and played for their [[Youth system|youth team]] in the 1956 [[FA Youth Cup]] final. He made his first-team debut in November 1958 and was sold to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] for [[Pound sterling|£]]7,000 in July 1959. He played in four cup finals for the club, as they were beaten in the [[1961 FA Cup final|1961]] and [[1963 FA Cup final|1963]] [[FA Cup]] finals before winning the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] in [[1964 Football League Cup final|1964]] and finishing as finalists in [[1965 Football League Cup final|1965]]. Despite this success and his World Cup win in 1966, Banks was dropped by Leicester and sold on to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] for £50,000 in April 1967. In the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 World Cup]],<ref name="ifhof" /><ref name="pelgod" /><ref name="keepstun" /> he made one of the game's greatest [[Save (goaltender)|save]]s to prevent a [[Pelé]] goal, but was absent due to illness as England were beaten by [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] in the quarter-finals.

Banks was Stoke City's goalkeeper in the [[1972 Football League Cup final|1972 League Cup]] win, the club's only major honour. He was still Stoke's and England's number one when a car crash in October 1972 cost him both the sight in his right eye and, eventually, his professional career. He played two last seasons in the United States for the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]] in 1977 and 1978, and despite only having the vision in one eye, was [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]] Goalkeeper of the Year in 1977 after posting the best defensive record in the league. He briefly entered management with [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]] but left the game in December 1980.

Banks was named [[FWA Footballer of the Year]] in 1972 and was named [[FIFA]] Goalkeeper of the Year on six occasions. The [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] named Banks the second-best goalkeeper of the 20th century, after [[Lev Yashin]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Stokkermans|first=Karel|title=IFFHS' Century Elections|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|work=RSSSF|access-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Banks was born in [[Abbeydale, Sheffield]], on 30 December 1937, and brought up in the working-class area of [[Tinsley, South Yorkshire|Tinsley]].<ref name="Hugman">{{Hugman|880|access-date=15 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=6}}</ref> The family later moved to the village of [[Catcliffe]] after his father set up a (then-illegal) [[betting shop]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=11}}</ref> This brought greater prosperity but also misery; one day, Banks's disabled brother was mugged for the shop's daily takings and died of his injuries some weeks later.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=12}}</ref> Banks left school in December 1952, aged 15, and took up employment as a bagger with a local coal merchant, which helped to build up his upper body strength.<ref name="page 13">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=13}}</ref> He spent a season playing for amateur side Millspaugh after their regular goalkeeper failed to turn up for a match; the club's trainer spotted Banks amongst the spectators and invited him to play in goal as he was aware that Banks had previously played for Sheffield Schoolboys.<ref name="page 13" /> His performances there earned him a game in the [[Yorkshire Football League|Yorkshire League]] for [[Rawmarsh Welfare F.C.|Rawmarsh Welfare]]. However, a 12–2 defeat to [[Stocksbridge Works F.C.|Stocksbridge Works]] on his debut was followed by a 3–1 home defeat, and he was dropped by Rawmarsh and returned to Millspaugh.<ref name="page 14">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=14}}</ref> Still aged 15, he then switched jobs to become a [[Brick hod|hod carrier]].<ref name="page 14" />

== Club career ==
=== Chesterfield ===
Banks was [[Scout (association football)|scout]]ed by [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] whilst playing for Millspaugh and offered a six-game trial in the [[Youth system|youth team]] in March 1953.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=15}}</ref> He impressed enough in these games to be offered a part-time [[Pound sterling|£]]3-a-week [[Association football contracts|contract]] by [[Manager (association football)|manager]] [[Teddy Davison]] in July 1953.<ref name="page 17">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=17}}</ref> The [[reserve team]] were placed in [[Central League (England)|the Central League]] on account of a powerful club director rather than on merit, and Banks conceded 122 goals in the 1954–55 season as the "Spireites" finished in last place with only three victories.<ref name="page 17" /> Banks was posted to Germany with the [[Royal Corps of Signals|Royal Signals]] on [[national service]], and won the Rhine Cup with his regimental team.<ref name="page 20">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=20}}</ref> He recovered from a [[Elbow fracture|fractured elbow]] to help the Chesterfield youth team to the 1956 final of the [[FA Youth Cup]].<ref name="page 20" /> There they were beaten 4–3 on [[aggregate score|aggregate]] by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s famous "[[Busby Babes]]"—a team that included both [[Wilf McGuinness]] and [[Bobby Charlton]].<ref name="page 22">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=22}}</ref>

Banks was given his first-team debut by manager [[Doug Livingstone]], at the expense of long-serving [[Ron Powell]], in a [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] game against [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] at [[Saltergate]] in November 1958.<ref name="page 23">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=23}}</ref> The game ended 2–2, and Banks kept his place against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in the following match; by the end of the [[1958–59 Football League|1958–59]] season, he had missed only three games, those owing to injury.<ref name="page 25">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=25}}</ref> With no goalkeeping [[Coach (sport)|coach]] to guide him, Banks had to learn from his mistakes on the [[Football pitch|pitch]], and he soon developed into a modern vocal goalkeeper who ordered the players in front of him into a more effective defence.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=26}}</ref> Having just 23 league and three cup appearances to his name, it came as a surprise to Banks when [[Matt Gillies]], manager of [[Football League First Division|First Division]] club [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], bought him from Chesterfield for £7,000 in July 1959; this also meant a wage increase to £15 a week.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=27}}</ref>

=== Leicester City ===
Banks faced competition from five other goalkeepers, including 30-year-old [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] international [[Johnny Anderson (footballer)|Johnny Anderson]] and 25-year-old [[Dave MacLaren]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=29}}</ref> He started the [[1959–60 Football League|1959–60]] season as the reserve team's goalkeeper. This, in effect, made him the club's second-choice, ahead of four of his rivals but behind first-team choice MacLaren.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=30}}</ref> He had played four reserve team games when MacLaren picked up an injury, and manager Matt Gillies selected Banks for his Leicester debut against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] at [[Filbert Street]] on 9 September. The match finished 1–1, with [[Jackie Mudie]]'s strike cancelling out [[Ken Leek]]'s opener.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=31}}</ref> Banks retained his place for the 2–0 loss to [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at [[St James' Park]] three days later.<ref name="page 32">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=32}}</ref> With McLaren fit again, Banks was sent back to the reserves, but after the first team conceded 14 goals in the next five games, he was recalled and became the first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season.<ref name="page 32" /> The defensive record did not improve at first, with Banks conceding six in a heavy defeat by [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] at [[Goodison Park]]. Still, he improved in each match, and the Foxes settled for a comfortable 12th-place finish.<ref name="page 32" /> In training, he worked extensively on improving his weaknesses, such as coming for crosses.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=33}}</ref> He put in extra hours during training and came up with practice sessions to improve his skills – this was largely unique in an era where there were no specialized goalkeeping coaches.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=64}}</ref> In the summer, both Anderson and MacLaren departed, leaving Banks as the club's undisputed number one ahead of a group of understudies.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=37}}</ref>

Leicester finished sixth in [[1960–61 Football League|1960–61]], and managed to beat champions [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] at [[White Hart Lane]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=39}}</ref> Yet their greatest accomplishment was in reaching the final of the [[FA Cup]], with Banks conceding only five goals in their nine games ''en route'' to the final, and keeping three [[Shutout|clean sheet]]s in the semi-final and two [[Replay (sports)|replay]]s against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]. Their opponents in [[1961 FA Cup final|the final]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] were Tottenham, who had already won the First Division title by an eight-point margin.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=43}}</ref> Right-back [[Len Chalmers]] picked up a severe injury early in the match, and with Ken Leek dropped for disciplinary reasons in favour of rookie [[Hughie McIlmoyle]], City were effectively playing with ten men and offered little threat going forward.<ref name="page 46">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=46}}</ref> [[Bobby Smith (footballer, born 1933)|Bobby Smith]] and [[Terry Dyson]] gave Spurs a 2–0 win and the first "[[Double (association football)|double]]" of the 20th century, with Banks unable to prevent either goal.<ref name="page 46" />

The [[1961–62 Football League|1961–62]] season proved to be highly disappointing, as Leicester finished 14th in the league and exited the FA Cup at the hands of [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref name="page 50">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=50}}</ref> The only highlight was the club's participation in the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]], which put Banks in the difficult position of choosing to play for his club against Spanish club [[Atlético Madrid]] or choosing to attend the [[England national football team|England]] versus [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] match as a non-playing squad member.<ref name="page 50" /> He elected to attend both games, leaving London at full-time to reach Leicester 30 minutes before the [[Kick-off (association football)|kick-off]] against Madrid.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=51}}</ref> A [[last-minute goal]] earned the Spaniards a 1–1 draw at Filbert Street.<ref name="page 52">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=52}}</ref> In the return leg, Banks [[Save (goaltender)|save]]d an [[Enrique Collar]] [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]], but Atlético were awarded a second penalty which Collar converted, and Leicester lost the game 2–0 (losing the tie 3–1 on aggregate).<ref name="page 52" />

Banks [[Nasal fracture|broke his nose]] at [[Craven Cottage]] on the opening day of the [[1962–63 Leicester City F.C. season|1962–63]] season, in a 2–1 defeat by [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=54}}</ref> Leicester went to chase a possible double, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals whilst sitting on top of the table in April.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=56}}</ref> City beat [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 1–0 at [[Hillsborough Stadium|Hillsborough]] to reach the final, with Banks keeping a clean sheet despite his goal being under a near-constant siege from the Merseyside club.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=57}}</ref> The ''[[News of the World]]'' reported that Liverpool had had 34 attempts on goal to Leicester's one, and Banks later stated that it was his finest performance at club level.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=58}}</ref> Unluckily, Banks then [[Bone fracture|broke]] a finger in a 2–1 defeat by [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] at [[The Hawthorns]], and was out injured as Leicester lost their final three league games, ending the season in a disappointing fourth place.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=59}}</ref> In the [[1963 FA Cup final]] Banks and the rest of the team underperformed, and lost the game 3–1 to Manchester United.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=60}}</ref><ref name="OFAF">{{cite book|author=Dave Smith & Paul Taylor|title=Of Fossils and Foxes|publisher=Polar Print Group|year=2010|isbn=978-1-905411-94-8}}</ref>

City ended the [[1963–64 Football League|1963–64]] season in 11th place, having been inconsistent all season. Success instead came through the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]], as they beat [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] 6–3 over two legs in the semi-finals to reach the final against Stoke City.<ref name="page 73">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=73}}</ref> The opening tie at the [[Victoria Ground]] finished 1–1 in extremely muddy conditions as Banks spilled a [[Shooting (association football)|shot]] from [[Bill Asprey]], with [[Keith Bebbington]] pouncing on the [[Rebound (sports)|rebound]].<ref name="page 73" /> Back at Filbert Street, goals from [[Mike Stringfellow]], [[Dave Gibson (Scottish footballer)|Dave Gibson]] and [[Howard Riley (footballer)|Howard Riley]] won the game for Leicester 3–2 and settled the tie at 4–3.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=74}}</ref>

Banks started the [[1964–65 Football League|1964–65]] season on wages of £40 a week, and the club only agreed to pay £60 a week in December.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=83}}</ref> These miserly wages made it difficult for the club to spend the £80,000 it received from the sale of [[Frank McLintock]] – he had put in a [[Transfer (association football)|transfer]] request over dissatisfaction with his pay and quality replacements were reluctant to join a club that paid full internationals like Banks and McLintock no more than the base rate that rival clubs paid to average players.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=84}}</ref> Leicester finished 18th in the league and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool at [[Anfield]] in the sixth round. In the League Cup, City struggled to get past [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (in a replay), [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (in a replay), before they recorded an 8–1 victory over [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] at [[Highfield Road]]. After easing past [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] in the semi-finals, Banks found himself playing in another [[1965 Football League Cup final|League Cup final]]. However, [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] won the final after successfully defending their 3–2 win at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] with a goalless draw at Filbert Street.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=87}}</ref>

Banks missed the first nine games of the [[1965–66 Football League|1965–66]] season after [[Distal radius fracture|breaking his wrist]] when diving at the feet of [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]]'s [[Joe Kiernan]] in a pre-season [[Exhibition game|friendly]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=91}}</ref> Leicester finished the season in seventh spot and exited both cup competitions at the hands of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=93}}</ref>

Despite being a World Cup winner in the summer of 1966, Banks was dropped towards the end of the [[1966–67 Football League|1966–67]] season in favour of highly promising teenage reserve [[Peter Shilton]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=144}}</ref> Manager Matt Gillies was blunt, telling Banks "we [Gillies and the club's directors] think your best days are behind you, and you should move on".<ref name="page 145">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=145}}</ref> Teammate [[Richie Norman]] told Banks that Gillies was pressured into the decision, Shilton having told the board he would leave the club unless he was given first-team football.<ref name="page 145" /> Banks was transfer listed at £50,000, the same price the club received for [[Derek Dougan]] in March 1967.<ref name="page 145" /> However, many of the big clubs were unwilling to spend such a sum on a goalkeeper.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=146}}</ref> [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] manager [[Bill Shankly]] showed strong interest, but could not convince the club's board of directors to agree to such a large fee for a goalkeeper.<ref name="p18">{{harvnb|Banks|1980|p=18}}</ref> West Ham United manager [[Ron Greenwood]] was prepared to match the fee, but instead signed [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]'s [[Bobby Ferguson (footballer, born 1945)|Bobby Ferguson]] for £65,000 because he had already agreed terms with Kilmarnock and did not want to go back on his word.<ref name="p18" /> Terms were instead agreed with Stoke City, a mid-table First Division side.<ref name="page 147">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=147}}</ref>

=== Stoke City ===
{{Quote box|quote="I've not come here to retire you know. I've come to here to win something."|source=— Banks speaking upon signing with the club after critics questioned Waddington's policy of signing veteran players.<ref name="101 greats">{{cite book|title=Stoke City 101 Golden Greats|year=2002|publisher=Desert Islands Books|pages=173–76|isbn=1-874287-55-4}}</ref>|width=35%|align=right}}
On leaving Filbert Street, Banks requested a loyalty bonus from Leicester and was told by Matt Gillies, "We've decided not to pay you a penny. There's to be no compensation payment and that's final."<ref name="page 147" /> Banks then refused the move until Stoke boss [[Tony Waddington]] seemingly negotiated a £2,000 payment out of Leicester.<ref name="page 148">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=148}}</ref> It was only some years later that Banks was informed that Stoke had made the payment, not Leicester.<ref name="page 148" /> Waddington valued good goalkeepers highly, and the two built up a close relationship.<ref name="page 148" /> During this time, Banks moved to [[Madeley, Staffordshire]].<ref name="page 149">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=149}}</ref> He replaced [[John Farmer (footballer)|John Farmer]] as the club's number one, and kept goal in the last four games of the [[1966–67 Stoke City F.C. season|1966–67]] season, making his home debut at the Victoria Ground in a 3–1 win over his former club Leicester.<ref name="page 149" />

Banks fitted in well at Stoke, as Waddington built a team of veteran players who were judged by some to be past their best.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=154}}</ref> The Potters struggled near the foot of the First Division table in the [[1967–68 Stoke City F.C. season|1967–68]] and [[1968–69 Stoke City F.C. season|1968–69]] campaigns, before rising to ninth place in the [[1969–70 Stoke City F.C. season|1969–70]] season. Banks remained a reliable stopper for the club. However, on 1 March 1969, he was knocked unconscious at [[Roker Park]] by [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]'s [[Malcolm Moore (footballer)|Malcolm Moore]], and his replacement [[David Herd (footballer)|David Herd]] conceded four goals in a 4–1 defeat.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=156}}</ref> Banks also played a season for the [[Cleveland Stokers]] of the American [[United Soccer Association]] in the summer of 1968: he played seven of the short-lived club's 12 games in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]].<ref name="nasl" />

Banks made what he believed to be three of the best saves of his career in a Stoke shirt. In the first instance, he saved and caught a powerful and well-placed header from Manchester City's [[Wyn Davies]] from {{convert|8|yd}} out; in the second case he saved a [[Francis Lee (footballer)|Francis Lee]] header at [[Maine Road]]; and he made his third great save for the club by catching a [[Volley (association football)|volley]] from Tottenham Hotspur's [[Alan Gilzean]] that had been hit from {{convert|6|yd}} out at White Hart Lane.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=177}}</ref>

Stoke began to compete for honours in the [[1970–71 Stoke City F.C. season|1970–71]] season, though despite impressive victories against the top two clubs—[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]—City ended the season in mid-table obscurity.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=189}}</ref> The club's great achievement was in reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup, beating [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]], [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] and [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] ''en route''.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=192}}</ref> Facing Arsenal at Hillsborough in the semi-finals, they lost a two-goal lead to draw 2–2, and were then beaten 2–0 in the replay at [[Villa Park]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=193}}</ref>

Despite another mid-table finish in [[1971–72 Stoke City F.C. season|1971–72]], Stoke beat Chesterfield, [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]], Hull City and Manchester United to reach another FA Cup semi-final.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=194}}</ref> They again faced Arsenal, and once more, a draw at Villa Park meant a replay at Goodison Park.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=195}}</ref> The Gunners' goals in a 2–1 victory came from a disputed Frank McLintock penalty and a [[John Radford (footballer)|John Radford]] goal that television replays showed was clearly [[Offside (association football)|offside]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=196}}</ref> In a May 2011 interview, Banks said that he still felt "cheated" out of a chance to play for the club in an FA Cup final.<ref name="hurt lingers">{{cite web|last=Bevan|first=Chris|title=FA Cup hurt lingers for Banks|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisbevan/2011/05/banks.html|work=BBC|date=12 May 2011|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> Stoke and Banks found solace in the League Cup, though it took them 11 matches to reach the final after overcoming [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], then [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in a replay, Manchester United in a second replay, [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], and then West Ham United in a second replay following an aggregate draw after two legs.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=197}}</ref> In [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] of the second leg with West Ham, Banks [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|fouled]] [[Harry Redknapp]], conceding a penalty, and then saved [[Geoff Hurst]]'s powerful spot-kick to keep City in the competition.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=199}}</ref> They then faced Chelsea in [[1972 Football League Cup final|the final]] at Wembley. [[Peter Osgood]] beat Banks with a hooked shot just before [[half-time]], but goals from [[Terry Conroy]] and [[George Eastham]] won Stoke the game 2–1.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=201}}</ref> At the end of the season, Banks was named the [[FWA Footballer of the Year]], becoming the first goalkeeper to receive the honour since [[Bert Trautmann]] in 1956.<ref name="page 202">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=202}}</ref>

On 22 October 1972, while driving home from a session of work on his injured [[shoulder]] with the Stoke [[Physical therapy|physiotherapist]], Banks lost control of his new [[Ford Consul]] (a re-badged [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada Mk I]]) car, which ended up in a ditch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gordon Banks|url=http://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/banks.html|work=planetworldcup.com|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> He had attempted to overtake a car on a sharp bend and collided with an oncoming [[Austin Cambridge|Austin A60 van]].<ref name="page 202" /> He was taken to the [[Royal Stoke University Hospital|North Staffordshire Hospital]] and, during an operation, received 200 stitches in his face and over 100 micro-stitches inside the socket of his right eye, and was told the chances of saving the sight in his eye were 50–50.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=203}}</ref> His sight never returned, and as the loss of [[binocular vision]] severely limited his abilities as a goalkeeper, he retired from professional football the following summer.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=207}}</ref>

=== Fort Lauderdale Strikers ===
In April 1977, he went on to play as a named superstar in the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL) for [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=209}}</ref> The Strikers won their division in [[1977 North American Soccer League season|1977]], and Banks was named NASL Goalkeeper of the Year after he conceded only 29 goals in 26 games—the best defensive record in the NASL.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=215}}</ref> He also played one [[League of Ireland]] game for [[St Patrick's Athletic F.C.|St Patrick's Athletic]], keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers]] at [[Richmond Park (football ground)|Richmond Park]] on 2 October 1977.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.offtheball.com/sport/remembering-gordon-banks-one-appearance-st-patricks-athletic-826366 | website = offtheball.com | title = Remembering Gordon Banks' one appearance for St Patrick's Athletic | first = Darren |last = Cleary | date = 12 February 2019 | access-date = 12 February 2019}}</ref> He returned to Fort Lauderdale and played 11 games in the [[1978 North American Soccer League season|1978 season]].<ref name="usa"/>

== International career ==
Banks was [[Cap (sport)|capped]] twice for the [[England national under-21 football team|England under-23]] side, in matches against [[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales]] and [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland]] in 1961.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=42}}</ref>

[[Ron Springett]] was the goalkeeper for England as Banks rose to prominence. Still, after the [[1962 FIFA World Cup|1962 World Cup]] in [[Chile]], a new coach was appointed in former England right-back [[Alf Ramsey]].<ref name="page 65">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=65}}</ref> Ramsey demanded sole control of the team and began looking towards the next [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref name="page 65" /> Banks won his first [[Cap (sport)|cap]] on 6 April 1963 against Scotland at Wembley, after Springett was dropped following a poor performance.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|1980|p=24}}</ref> England lost 2–1, though Banks was blameless as Scotland's goals came firstly from an error by [[Jimmy Armfield]] and then secondly from the penalty spot.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=67}}</ref> He was picked for the next match against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], which ended in a creditable 1–1 draw after [[Bryan Douglas]] cancelled out [[José Macia|Pepe]]'s opener.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=69}}</ref> Banks continued to play consistently to become established as England's first-choice goalkeeper. In 1963, he was picked to play against the [[1963 England v Rest of the World football match|Rest of the World]], in a celebration match to mark 100 years of [[The Football Association]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=75}}</ref>

Banks also played in two of England's three games at the "[[Taça das Nações|Little World Cup]]" in Brazil in the summer of 1964, a 1–1 draw with Portugal and a 1–0 defeat to [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=82}}</ref> Blackpool's [[Tony Waiters]] won five caps in the England goal in 1964 but found that his challenge to Banks's first-team place came to an end after he conceded five goals to Brazil.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|1980|p=37}}</ref> During England's summer of 1965 tour he built up a solid understanding with his defenders—[[George Cohen]], [[Jack Charlton]], [[Bobby Moore]], and [[Ray Wilson (English footballer)|Ray Wilson]]—as he only conceded two goals in four matches against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]], [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], and [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=90}}</ref> They then played seven [[Exhibition game|friendlies]] in 1966 in the build-up to the World Cup, though the team passed their biggest test of character in the [[British Home Championship]], beating Scotland 4–3 in front of a crowd of over 130,000 at [[Hampden Park]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=99}}</ref> Going into the competition, the only defeat in 21 matches since the "Little World Cup" came against [[Austria national football team|Austria]], in a game that Banks missed due to injury.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=103}}</ref>

=== 1966 World Cup ===
Banks entered the [[1966 FIFA World Cup]] as England's first-choice goalkeeper, and his understudies Ron Springett and [[Peter Bonetti]] never took to the field during the tournament. England opened the tournament with a goalless draw against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], with Banks a virtual spectator as the highly defensive Uruguayans rarely ventured out of their half.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=109}}</ref> They then defeated [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] 2–0, with Banks again rarely troubled throughout.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=113}}</ref> A 2–0 win over [[France national football team|France]] then took England through the group stage without Banks conceding a goal.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=116}}</ref>

England beat Argentina 1–0 in the last eight, with Geoff Hurst scoring with a header; the match was sullied by the first-half [[Ejection (sports)|sending off]] of Argentinian midfielder [[Antonio Rattín]], who refused to leave the pitch after being dismissed for dissent.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=122}}</ref> In contrast to the previous games, the semi-final against Portugal proved to be a fair contest between two sides of talented players eager to attack from the start of the match.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=125}}</ref> Yet there was panic in the buildup to the game as trainer [[Harold Shepherdson]] forgot to buy [[chewing gum]], which Banks used to make his hands stickier and better able to handle the ball, and so Shepherdson had to run to a nearby [[Newsagent's shop|newsagents]] to purchase gum as the teams were in the tunnel.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=127}}</ref> Bobby Charlton scored two goals, but Portugal made a strong finish and won a penalty on 82 minutes after Jack Charlton handled the ball in the penalty area.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=129}}</ref> [[Eusébio]] converted the penalty after sending Banks the wrong way, and the game finished 2–1 in England's favour.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=130}}</ref> This was the first goal Banks had conceded for England in 721 minutes of regular play since giving up Scotland's last goal after 81 minutes of the Home International clash in April. This remained a record for an England goalkeeper until 2021 when it was broken by [[Jordan Pickford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/pickford-breaks-england-goalkeeper-record-stretching-back-1966-2021-07-07/|title=Pickford breaks England goalkeeper record stretching back to 1966|work=Reuters|date=8 July 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>

England's opponents in the [[1966 FIFA World Cup final|final]] were West Germany. It was England who dominated the final, but it was Banks who was beaten first. A weak header from Ray Wilson handed a chance to [[Helmut Haller]], who sent an accurate but relatively weak shot into the corner of the net; Banks had been unsighted by Jack Charlton, and he failed to adjust his position in time to reach the ball.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=134}}</ref> England equalised through a Geoff Hurst header within six minutes and went ahead late in the second half through [[Martin Peters]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=135}}</ref> With seconds left in the game, [[Lothar Emmerich]] sent a [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]] into the England penalty area, and the ball fell to [[Wolfgang Weber]], who guided the ball over a lunging Ray Wilson and an outstretched Banks into the net to take the game into extra-time.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=136}}</ref> In extra time, the Germans sent shots in at the England goal, which Banks managed to catch and control without any great danger.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=137}}</ref> Hurst scored two goals to complete his [[hat-trick]], and though many claimed his second goal never [[Cross (association football)|crossed]] the line Banks always maintained his belief that the officials called the decision correctly.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=138}}</ref> Between these goals, Banks had to deal with a fiery shot from [[Sigfried Held]] and was later exposed only for [[Uwe Seeler]] to come just centimetres away from connecting with the ball.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=139}}</ref>

=== Euro 1968 ===
Scotland were the first team to beat the world champions, as goals from [[Denis Law]], [[Bobby Lennox]] and [[Jim McCalliog]] secured a 3–2 victory at Wembley on 15 April 1967.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=152}}</ref> Despite this set-back, England qualified for [[UEFA Euro 1968]], which consisted of just four teams: England, [[Italy national football team|Italy]] (hosts), the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]], and Yugoslavia. England played just two games at the tournament, losing 1–0 to Yugoslavia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/news/1053821/european-nations-cup-1968.html|title=Euro 2012: European Nations Cup 1968|last1=Brewin|first1=John|last2=Williamson|first2=Martin|date=29 April 2012|website=[[ESPN FC]]|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008105917/http://espnfc.com/en/news/1053821/european-nations-cup-1968.html|archive-date=8 October 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=23 August 2012}}</ref> and then beating the Soviets 2–0 in the third-place play-off.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b2e1adede-c896e22df928-1000--england-beat-soviet-union-to-win-euro-1968-third-place-pla/ | title = England beat Soviet Union to win bronze |date = 2 October 2003 | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 12 February 2019}}</ref>

=== 1970 World Cup ===
{{multiple image
|align= left
|total_width = 300
|image1 = Gordon Banks en 1970.jpg
|image2 = Gordon banks figurita.jpg
|footer = [[association football trading card|Trading card]]s of Banks with England by Italian [[Panini Group|Panini]] (left) and ''Chapitas'' in Argentina (right), both issued in 1970
}}
Banks went into the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 World Cup]] as England's number one with 59 caps to his name, and had Peter Bonetti (six caps) and [[Alex Stepney]] (one cap) as his understudies. He found the heat and altitude at [[Guadalajara]], Mexico difficult to cope with.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=160}}</ref> The team's efforts at acclimatisation were not helped when Bobby Moore was falsely accused of stealing the infamous "[[Bogotá Bracelet]]".<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=167}}</ref> Despite this, a Geoff Hurst goal was enough to beat their first opponents, [[Romania national football team|Romania]].<ref name="page 169">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=169}}</ref> A far tougher test awaited on 7 June, when England faced Brazil. The day before the match, Banks was informed that he had been awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]].<ref name="page 169" />

[[File:banksvspele4.jpg|thumb|right|Image describing Banks's save v Pelé in the 1970 World Cup, Mexico]]
Playing at pace, Brazil were putting England under enormous pressure and an attack was begun by [[Captain (association football)|captain]] [[Carlos Alberto Torres|Carlos Alberto]] who sent a low ball down the right flank for the speedy [[Jairzinho]] to latch on to.<ref name="page 2">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=2}}</ref> The Brazilian winger sped past left-back [[Terry Cooper (footballer, born 1944)|Terry Cooper]] and crossed the ball into the six-yard box, where [[Pelé]] connected with a powerful header to send the ball low towards the right-hand corner of the goal.<ref name="page 2" /> In the knowledge that his header was placed to perfection, Pelé immediately shouted "Gol!" (Brazilian Portuguese for goal).<ref name="page 3">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rice|first=Simon|title=The 100 greatest World Cup moments|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-100-greatest-world-cup-moments-1915569.html?action=Gallery&ino=18|access-date=18 May 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=10 June 2010}}</ref>

The split-second incident only allowed Banks time for one conscious thought – that the shot was impossible to catch, and the only way to prevent Pelé from following up on the rebound would be to parry the ball over the bar.<ref name="page 3" /> The ball bounced {{convert|2|yd}} in front of the goal-line, and Banks managed to make contact with the ball with the fingers of his right hand and rolled his hand slightly to angle the ball over the crossbar.<ref name="page 3" /> He landed in the inner netting of the goal and knew he had saved the ball after seeing Pelé's reaction.<ref name="page 3" /> Banks then rose to his feet to defend the corner and broke into laughter after the following exchange:<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=4}}</ref>

:"I thought that was a goal." (Pelé)
:"You and me both." (Banks)
:"You're getting old, Banksy, you used to hold on to them." (Bobby Moore)

Pelé and numerous journalists and pundits would later describe the save as the greatest in the game's history.<ref name="ifhof">[http://www.ifhof.com/hof/banks.asp Gordon Banks: International Football Hall of Fame] Retrieved 10 May 2011</ref><ref name="pelgod">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jun/30/sport.comment|title=And God created Pelé|access-date=11 May 2011|work=The Guardian|location=UK|first=Simon|last=Hattenstone|date=30 June 2003}}</ref><ref name="keepstun">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110122063954/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174372/index.html Gordon BANKS: The keeper who stunned the King] ''FIFA''. Retrieved 10 May 2011</ref> Banks later said "They won't remember me for winning the World Cup, it'll be for that save. That's how big a thing it is. People just want to talk about that save."<ref>[http://www.chrishunt.biz/features04.html ''Reunited: Gordon Banks & Jairzinho''], published in ''FourFourTwo''. 2002</ref> In 2002 the UK public voted the save No. 41 in the list of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)|100 Greatest Sporting Moments]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|title=100 Greatest Sporting Moments – Results|year=2002|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204090913/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|archive-date=4 February 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref>

Brazil won 1–0 after Jairzinho beat Banks in the second half.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=175}}</ref> England ultimately joined Brazil in the last eight after a win in the final group game against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]]. The reward was a rematch of the 1966 final against West Germany.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-england-at-the-world-cup-1970-mexico-banks-illness-undermines-englands-title-defence-1162828.html | work = The Independent | title = Football: England at the World Cup: 1970 Mexico – Banks illness undermines England's title defence | first = Ken | last= Jones | date = 4 June 1998 | access-date = 12 February 2019}}</ref>

The day before the West Germany game, England's hopes of making further inroads into the World Cup were dented when Banks complained of an upset stomach. He became affected by violent stomach cramps and aching limbs and spent his time in the bathroom sweating, shivering and vomiting.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=182}}</ref> He passed an extremely undemanding fitness test but suffered a relapse shortly before the game, and Ramsey was forced to rest him and play Peter Bonetti in his place.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=184}}</ref> Ramsey remarked that "of all the players to lose, we had to lose him."<ref name="keepstun" /> Banks watched the game on television at the hotel as England lost a two-goal lead to be eliminated 3–2 after extra time. Due to a delay in the broadcast, he switched the television off, with England 2–0 in the lead, as Bobby Moore returned to the hotel to break the news of the defeat.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=185}}</ref> Suspicions later surfaced that Banks had been poisoned to take him out of the game, but with no evidence to support them, Banks never believed in them.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=186}}</ref>

=== Final years ===
Only four teams competed in [[UEFA Euro 1972]]: [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] (hosts), Hungary, the Soviet Union, and West Germany. England came close to qualifying but lost 3–1 to West Germany in the final round of [[UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying|qualifying]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/observer/englandfootball/story/0,9565,541541,00.html | work = The Observer | title = England shown the way out |date = 30 April 1972 | first = Hugh | last = McIlvanney | access-date = 12 February 2019}}</ref>

On 15 May 1971, Banks was involved in a notorious incident with [[George Best]] who, while playing against England for [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]], flicked the ball out of Banks's hands and [[Header (association football)|headed]] it into the net.<ref name="page 191">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=191}}</ref> The move was audacious, but was disallowed by the [[Referee (association football)|referee]], who judged it to be dangerous play.<ref name="page 191" /><ref>{{cite news|last=May|first=John|title=The best of Best|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4316154.stm|access-date=4 February 2013|date=25 November 2005|work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> Banks played his 73rd and final game for England on 27 May 1972, in a 1–0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=257}}</ref> During his 73 international games, he kept 35 clean sheets and lost just nine games.<ref name="Banks 2002 258">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=258}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
In December 1977, he was appointed as a coach at [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] by manager [[Dennis Butler]], being demoted to reserve coach in October 1978 by new boss [[Alan Bloor]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=16|year=1996|isbn=0-9529152-0-0}}</ref> Banks enjoyed coaching but soon resigned his position, feeling that players such as [[Bernie Wright]] refused to take his advice on board.<ref name="page 216">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=216}}</ref> He applied for the vacant management positions at [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] and [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]], but was rejected.<ref name="page 216" /> He instead accepted the role as manager of [[Football Conference|Alliance Premier League]] part-time club [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]].<ref name="page 216" /> He signed a goalkeeper, centre-half and centre-forward from [[Bangor City F.C.|Bangor City]] for £1,500, as well as former Stoke striker [[John Ruggiero]].<ref name="page 217">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=217}}</ref> The "Bucks" finished in 13th place in [[1979–80 Alliance Premier League|1979–80]].<ref name=telford/>

In November 1980, he left [[Jackie Mudie]] in temporary charge of team affairs whilst he underwent surgery and led the club to defeat in the [[FA Trophy]] at the hands of a lower league club.<ref name="page 218">{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=218}}</ref> On his return to the club Banks was sacked.<ref name="page 218" /> He was offered the position of raffle ticket seller and accepted the post in the belief that it would entitle him to the money owed to him in the terms of his management contract; he eventually had to settle for 50% of his contract.<ref name="page 218" /> He later stated that "It broke my heart&nbsp;... I did not want to stay in the game."<ref name=telford>{{cite news|title=Gordon Banks reveals Telford sacking heartache|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8940802.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2012|date=24 August 2010}}</ref>

== Style of play ==
An excellent, consistent, and instinctive goalkeeper who possessed significant physical strength, athleticism, and excellent shot-stopping abilities, Banks is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time in his position. He possessed an excellent positional sense, which he felt to be one of his best assets, and was also known for his handling, awareness, composure, and mental strength, as well as his agility, speed, and quick reflexes, which enabled him to produce acrobatic saves, such as his famous stop from Pelé's header against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.<ref name="keepstun" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/jul/28/poisespeedandawarenessmade |title=Poise, speed and awareness made Banks the best |work=The Guardian |date=28 July 2008 |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Brilliant Banks denies Pele">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013143521/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=10/news=brilliant-banks-denies-pele-header-2842873.html |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=10/news=brilliant-banks-denies-pele-header-2842873.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2016 |title=Brilliant Banks denies Pele header |publisher=FIFA.com |date=13 October 2016 |access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/07/the-united-kingdoms-top-20-greatest-ever-footballers/ |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/07/the-united-kingdoms-top-20-greatest-ever-footballers/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The United Kingdom's top 20 greatest ever footballers|work=The Daily Telegraph|author1=Jason Burt|date=7 November 2016|access-date=28 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Personal life and health ==
Banks first met his wife, Ursula, during his national service in Germany in 1955.<ref name="page 20" /> They married in 1957 and had three children: Robert, Julia and Wendy.<ref name = ODNB>{{cite ODNB|title = Banks, Gordon (1937–2019), footballer|last = Taylor|first = Matthew|date = 2023|doi = 10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000380831}}</ref><ref name="englandfootballonline">{{cite web |title=England Goalkeepers – Gordon Banks |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersB/BioBanksG.html |website=www.englandfootballonline.com |access-date=25 June 2020}}</ref> He separated from Ursula during his time in America. Still, the couple reunited when Banks returned to England.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|1980|p=14}}</ref>

In October 1972, Banks was involved in a car crash in his [[Ford Consul]] while driving on the wrong side of the road, close to his home in [[Madeley Heath]].  Fragments of glass had perforated his right eye and damaged the retina, requiring 100 micro stitches to the eye and a further 200 to his face.<ref>[https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gordon-banks-80-car-crash-987925 Gordon Banks car crash at Stoke sentinel.co.uk]</ref>

Banks's nephew is [[Nick Banks]], drummer of the band [[Pulp (band)|Pulp]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davison|first1=Jo|title=Rock n roll to crock n roll – Pulp drummer Nick Banks on his life away from the limelight|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/rock-n-roll-to-crock-n-roll-pulp-drummer-nick-banks-on-his-life-away-from-the-limelight-1-7186827|access-date=8 January 2019|work=www.thestar.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414045512/https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/rock-n-roll-to-crock-n-roll-pulp-drummer-nick-banks-on-his-life-away-from-the-limelight-1-7186827|archive-date=14 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shortly after his retirement, Banks was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] for an episode of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]''.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=208}}</ref> He later fronted a [[Leicester]]-based hospitality company.<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=219}}</ref> He lost a significant sum of money when the business failed but was helped out by Leicester City, who offered him a belated [[testimonial match]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=220}}</ref> He was appointed as Stoke City's president following the death of [[Stanley Matthews]].<ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|p=223}}</ref> From the 1980s he was a member of the three-man [[Football pools|pools panel]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Banks proves a safe pair of hands when it comes to the Pools|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Football-Banks-proves-safe-pair-hands-comes-Pools/story-17938261-detail/story.html|access-date=23 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=23 January 2013}}</ref>

In 2001, he sold his World Cup winners medal at [[Christie's]] for £124,750, and his international cap from the final was also sold for £27,025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gordon Banks|url=http://goalkeepinggreats.webs.com/gordonbanks.htm|work=goalkeepinggreats.webs.com|access-date=4 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328174509/http://goalkeepinggreats.webs.com/gordonbanks.htm|archive-date=28 March 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Sheffield Legends Gordon Banks.jpg|thumb|right|Sheffield Walk of Fame]]
Banks was an Inaugural Inductee to the [[English Football Hall of Fame]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gordon Banks|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/profiles/entry/gordon-banks/|work=nationalfootballmuseum.com|access-date=4 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223134737/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/profiles/entry/gordon-banks/|archive-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> In March 2004, he was named by Pelé as one of the world's [[FIFA 100|125 greatest living footballers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pele's list of the greatest|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3533891.stm|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 March 2004}}</ref> He was awarded an honorary doctorate from [[Keele University]] in February 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gordon Banks honorary degree|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/20/local_tv_archive_gordon_banks_keele_uni_degree_0206_feature.shtml|work=BBC|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> In May 2006, Banks was the first '[[Sheffield Legends|legend]]' to be inducted into a new Walk of Fame, by having a plaque installed in the pavement in front of [[Sheffield Town Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gordon Banks|url=https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/tourist-information/sheffield-legends/gordon-banks.html|work=sheffield.gov.uk|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004222429/https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/tourist-information/sheffield-legends/gordon-banks.html|archive-date=4 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2008, Pelé unveiled a statue of Banks making his famous 1970 World Cup save outside the [[bet365 Stadium|Britannia Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Save recalled as statue unveiled|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7503309.stm|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=13 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/stoke-city/2305487/Pele-unveils-statue-of-legend-Gordon-Banks.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/stoke-city/2305487/Pele-unveils-statue-of-legend-Gordon-Banks.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Pele unveils statue of legend Gordon Banks|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Phil |last=Shaw|date=12 July 2008|access-date=14 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In March 2011, he was also inducted into the City of [[Stoke-on-Trent]] Hall of Fame, along with [[Roy Sproson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/9411597.stm|title=Gordon Banks inducted into Stoke-on-Trent Hall of Fame|date=2 March 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> Pelé became a good friend of Banks and following his death the Brazilian described Banks as a "goalkeeper with magic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47215837|title=Gordon Banks was a goalkeeper with magic – Pele|date=12 February 2019|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

In 1980, Banks published his first autobiography, ''Banks of England''. He published a more comprehensive autobiography in 2002: ''Banksy: My Autobiography''. Irish investigative author, [[Don Mullan]], published a boyhood memoir in 2006 called ''Gordon Banks – A Hero Who Could Fly''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alittlebookcompany.com/books/gbanks.htm|title=Gordon Banks – A Hero Who Could Fly|first=Don |last=Mullan|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214063527/http://www.alittlebookcompany.com/books/gbanks.htm|archive-date=14 December 2006}}</ref> in which he wrote about the influence of the England goalkeeper on his life.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gordon Banks – a hero who could fly|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/features/2004/05/gordon_banks.shtml|access-date=18 May 2013|newspaper=BBC Stoke & Staffordshire|year=2004}}</ref>

In December 2015, it was announced Banks was receiving treatment for [[kidney cancer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/13/gordon-banks-second-battle-kidney-cancer|title=Gordon Banks facing second battle with kidney cancer|work=The Guardian|author=Press Association|date=13 December 2015|access-date=23 February 2016}}</ref> He died from cancer in his sleep at his home in [[Madeley, Staffordshire]], 12 February 2019 at the age of 81.<ref name = ODNB/><ref>{{cite news |title=Gordon Banks: World Cup winning goalkeeper dies aged 81 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47196017 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 February 2019 |date=12 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Glanville |first1=Brian |author-link1=Brian Glanville |title=Gordon Banks obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/12/gordon-banks-obituary |access-date=12 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=12 February 2019}}</ref> Banks's funeral took place on 4 March 2019 at [[Stoke Minster]]. His [[pallbearer]]s were goalkeepers representing his former teams; [[Joe Anyon]] (Chesterfield), [[Jack Butland]] (Stoke City), [[Joe Hart]] (England) and [[Kasper Schmeichel]] (Leicester City).<ref>{{cite news |title=Gordon Banks funeral: Fans and mourners pay tribute |work=BBC News |date=4 March 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-47439677 |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
=== Club ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="nasl">{{cite web|title=NASL stats|url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/B/Banks.Gordon.htm|work=nasljerseys.com|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Banks|2002|pp=235–54}}</ref><ref name="nft">{{NFT player|id=17951|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="usa">{{cite web|title=NASL stats|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/nasl/naslstar.html|first=David |last=Litterer|access-date=13 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126110900/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/nasl/naslstar.html|archive-date=26 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="europe">{{cite web|title=Stoke European Competition Statistics|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/club/history/europe.aspx|publisher=Stoke City FC|access-date=13 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511123405/http://www.stokecityfc.com/club/history/europe.aspx|archive-date=11 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|FA Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]
|[[1958–59 Chesterfield F.C. season|1958–59]]
|[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]]
||23||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||26||0
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
|[[1959–60 Leicester City F.C. season|1959–60]]
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
||32||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||0
|-
|[[1960–61 Leicester City F.C. season|1960–61]]
|First Division
||40||0||10||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||51||0
|-
|[[1961–62 Leicester City F.C. season|1961–62]]
|First Division
||41||0||2||0||1||0||4{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||48||0
|-
|[[1962–63 Leicester City F.C. season|1962–63]]
|First Division
||38||0||6||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||46||0
|-
|[[1963–64 Leicester City F.C. season|1963–64]]
|First Division
||36||0||1||0||8||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||45||0
|-
|[[1964–65 Leicester City F.C. season|1964–65]]
|First Division
||38||0||6||0||9||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||53||0
|-
|[[1965–66 Leicester City F.C. season|1965–66]]
|First Division
||32||0||4||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||0
|-
|[[1966–67 Leicester City F.C. season|1966–67]]
|First Division
||36||0||1||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!293!!0!!34!!0!!25!!0!!4!!0!!0!!0!!356!!0
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|[[1966–67 Stoke City F.C. season|1966–67]]
|First Division
||4||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|[[1967–68 Stoke City F.C. season|1967–68]]
|First Division
||39||0||2||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||45||0
|-
|[[1968–69 Stoke City F.C. season|1968–69]]
|First Division
||30||0||4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||0
|-
|[[1969–70 Stoke City F.C. season|1969–70]]
|First Division
||38||0||3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||42||0
|-
|[[1970–71 Stoke City F.C. season|1970–71]]
|First Division
||39||0||10||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|Four appearances in [[Anglo-Italian Cup]] and one in [[Texaco Cup]]}}||0||55||0
|-
|[[1971–72 Stoke City F.C. season|1971–72]]
|First Division
||36||0||8||0||11||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in [[Texaco Cup]]}}||0||59||0
|-
|[[1972–73 Stoke City F.C. season|1972–73]]
|First Division
||8||0||0||0||2||0||1{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||11||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!194!!0!!27!!0!!19!!0!!1!!0!!9!!0!!250!!0
|-
|[[Cleveland Stokers]] (loan)
|[[United Soccer Association|1967]]
|[[United Soccer Association]]
||7||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7||0
|-
|[[Hellenic F.C.|Hellenic]] (loan)
|1971
|[[National Football League (South Africa)|National Football League]]
||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]]
|[[1977 North American Soccer League season|1977]]
|[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]]
||26||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|Appearances in [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League play-offs]]}}||0||28||0
|-
|[[1978 North American Soccer League season|1978]]
|North American Soccer League
||11||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!37!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!2!!0!!39!!0
|-
|[[St Patrick's Athletic F.C.|St Patrick's Athletic]] (loan)
|[[1977–78 League of Ireland|1977–78]]
|[[League of Ireland]]
||1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!558!!0!!64!!0!!44!!0!!5!!0!!11!!0!!682!!0
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="caps">[http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=1211 "Gordon Banks"]. ''EU Football.info''. Retrieved 13 February 2013.</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[England national football team|England]]
|1963||7||0
|-
|1964||7||0
|-
|1965||7||0
|-
|1966||15||0
|-
|1967||4||0
|-
|1968||6||0
|-
|1969||6||0
|-
|1970||10||0
|-
|1971||7||0
|-
|1972||4||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||73||0
|}

== Honours ==
'''Leicester City'''
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[1963–64 Football League Cup|1963–64]]<ref name=LeagueCup>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfinal.html|title=England – League Cup finals 1961–2001|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: [[1960–61 FA Cup|1960–61]],<ref name="FACRU"/> [[1962–63 FA Cup|1962–63]]<ref name="FACRU">{{cite book |first1=Leslie |first2=Jack |last1=Vernon |last2=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 |year=1977 |publisher=Brickfield Publications Ltd |location=London |isbn=0354-09018-6 |page=490}}</ref>

'''Stoke City'''
*Football League Cup: [[1971–72 Football League Cup|1971–72]]<ref name=LeagueCup/>

'''England'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/england1966/teams/team=43942|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002604/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/england1966/teams/team=43942/|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2019|title=1966 FIFA World Cup England|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[UEFA European Championship]] third-place: [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b2f278728-dbeb89ad6ea8-1000--yugoslavia-beat-world-champions-england-to-reach-euro-1968-/|title=UEFA EURO 1968 – History – Serbia-England|website=[[UEFA]]|date=2 October 2003 |access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[British Home Championship]]: [[1964 British Home Championship|1964]] (shared), [[1965 British Home Championship|1965]], [[1966 British Home Championship|1966]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bhc1947-66.html|title=British Home Championship 1947–1966|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> [[1968 British Home Championship|1968]], [[1969 British Home Championship|1969]], [[1970 British Home Championship|1970]] (shared), [[1971 British Home Championship|1971]], [[1972 British Home Championship|1972]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bhc1967-84.html|title=British Home Championship 1967–1984|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
<ref name="Banks 2002 258" />
*FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1966
*[[Ballon d'Or]] Nominated: [[1966 Ballon d'Or|1966]], [[1970 Ballon d'Or|1970]], [[1972 Ballon d'Or|1972]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html|title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")|author1=Rob Moore|author2=Karel Stokkermans|date=21 January 2011|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[World Soccer (magazine)#Eric Batty's World XI|World XI]]: 1969,<ref name="BTLM60s">{{cite web |url=https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ |website=Beyond The Last Man |date=29 April 2013 |title=Eric Batty's World XI – The Sixties |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220354/https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 1971, 1972<ref name="BTLM70s">{{cite web |url=https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/11/07/eric-battys-world-xis-the-seventies/ |website=Beyond The Last Man |date=7 November 2013 |title=Eric Batty's World XI – The Seventies |access-date=22 July 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705040250/https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/11/07/eric-battys-world-xis-the-seventies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''FUWO European Team of the Season'': 1969,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc-supporters.org/fuwo/files/FUWO%201970/Fuwo%201970%2002.pdf |website=FCC-Wiki|title=FUWO 1970|access-date=23 April 2024 }}</ref> 1970<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc-supporters.org/fuwo/files/FUWO%201971/FUWO%201971%2002.pdf |website=FCC-Wiki|title=FUWO 1971|access-date=23 April 2024 }}</ref>
*''[[Rothmans Football Yearbook|Rothman's]] Golden Boot Awards'': 1970, 1971, 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/1969-70-british-team-of-the-season.1794502/ |website=BigSoccer |date=31 July 2011 |title=1969–1970 British Team of the Season |access-date=17 April 2024 }}</ref>
*[[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the Order of the British Empire]]: 1970
*''[[Daily Express]]'' Sportsmen of the Year: 1971, 1972
*''Sport Ideal European XI'': 1971, 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1972/01/01/pagina-9/975653/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1971|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1972/12/31/pagina-15/972425/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1972|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref>
*[[FWA Footballer of the Year]]: 1972
*[[Football League 100 Legends]]: 1998
*[[English Football Hall of Fame]]: 2002
*NASL All-Stars: [[1977 North American Soccer League season|1977]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Mid Cities Daily News – Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ov1RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iTQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3998,3891044&dq=1977+nasl+all-stars&hl=en |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=news.google.com |date=24 August 1977}}</ref>
*NASL Goalkeeper of the Year: [[1977 North American Soccer League season|1977]]
*''[[World Soccer (magazine)|World Soccer]]'' Greatest Players of the 20th Century: 32nd<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html|title=The Best x Players of the Century/All-Time|author1= Karel Stokkermans|author2=Karel Stokkermans|date=23 Dec 2015|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref>
*[[FIFA 100]]: 2004
*[[Professional Footballers' Association|PFA]] Team of the Century (1907–1976): 2007<ref>{{cite news|title=England Boys of '66 dominate your Team of the Century: 1907–1976|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-legends/teams-of-the-century/team-of-the-century-1907-1976|work=GiveMeFootball.com|publisher=Give Me Football|date=28 August 2007|access-date=18 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022110958/http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-legends/teams-of-the-century/team-of-the-century-1907-1976|archive-date=22 October 2008}}</ref>
* [[Freedom of the City]] of [[Stoke-on-Trent]] 16 October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stoke honour for Nello and Banks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-29638066 |access-date=25 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=16 October 2014}}</ref>
*[[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of [[Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme|Newcastle-under-Lyme]] 23 February 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gordon Banks nets freedom of borough |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-43176833 |access-date=25 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=23 February 2018}}</ref>

== References ==
;Specific
{{reflist}}
;General
*{{citation|last1=Banks|first1=Gordon|first2=Norman|last2=Giller|title=Banks of England|publisher=MacDonald Fututra|year=1980|isbn=0-7088-1967-2|ref={{harvid|Banks|1980}}}}
*{{citation|last1=Banks|first1=Gordon|first2=Les|last2=Scott|title=Banksy: My Autobiography|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=2002|isbn=0-7181-4582-8|ref={{harvid|Banks|2002}}}}
*{{citation|last=Morris|first=Jim|title=Gordon Banks – A Biography|publisher=Amberley|year=2013|isbn=978-1-4456-1655-1}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025185418/http://www.gordonbanks.org/ |date=25 October 2015 |title=Official website}}
*{{FIFA player}}
*{{IMDb name}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122063954/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174372/index.html |date=dmy |title=FIFA Classic Player}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728154433/http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/B/Gordon-Banks |date=28 July 2013 |title=FA.com profile}}
*{{Englandstats}}
*{{NPG name}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{1966 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{1969 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1971 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1972 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1977 NASL All-Stars}}
{{FWA Footballer of the Year}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
{{Football League 100 Legends}}
{{FIFA 100}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = England squads
| bg = white
| fg = #0B0B3F
| bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| list1 = 
{{England squad 1966 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 1968}}
{{England squad 1970 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Banks, Gordon}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Darnall]]
[[Category:People from Madeley, Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Footballers from Sheffield]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:England men's international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's under-23 international footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:Rawmarsh Welfare F.C. players]]
[[Category:Chesterfield F.C. players]]
[[Category:Leicester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Stokers players]]
[[Category:Hellenic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983) players]]
[[Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League representative players]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) indoor players]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players]]
[[Category:League of Ireland players]]
[[Category:United Soccer Association players]]
[[Category:National Football League (South Africa) players]]
[[Category:1962 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1966 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1968 players]]
[[Category:1970 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:English expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in South Africa]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Telford United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:National League (English football) managers]]
[[Category:English football coaches]]
[[Category:Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:20th-century British Army personnel]]
[[Category:Royal Corps of Signals soldiers]]
[[Category:English autobiographers]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Sheffield]]
[[Category:Association football players with disabilities]]
[[Category:Sportspeople with visual impairment]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:20th-century English sportsmen]]