England’s 1966 World Cup-Winning Goalkeeper Gordon Banks Has Died, Aged 81

England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has sadly passed away, his former club Stoke have announced.

The club released the following statement on Twitter:

"From the family of Gordon Banks. It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight.

"We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him."

Banks, who made 628 appearances during a 15-year career in the Football League, was famously part of England's World Cup winning squad in 1966.

He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

In fact, the former Stoke City and Leicester shot-stopper was named the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century. ahead of the likes of Dino Zoff.

Many people on social media paid tribute to Banks, including Gary Lineker, who described him as a "lovely man" and "one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time."

Thanks for the memories, Gordon Banks.

RIP.

Topics: Football News, Football, England

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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