Gordon Banks funeral: 1966 World Cup heroes lead tributes to ‘humble superstar’

Gordon Banks funeral: 1966 World Cup heroes lead tributes to ‘humble superstar’
Gordon Banks was described as a ‘superstar’ by Sir Geoff Hurst as footballers past and present turned out to pay their respects to the World Cup-winning goalkeeper.The former England international died, aged 81, on February 12 and his funeral was held at Stoke Minster on Monday afternoon.6

The current goalkeepers of Banks’ former clubs carried the coffin

Hurst, Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton and Roger Hunt, who were in the starting XI alongside Banks as England defeated Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, were among the mourners.A reputation as one of the finest shot-stoppers of his or any era was not the only legacy Banks left behind, according to Hurst.The former striker said in a moving eulogy: “He was a superstar on the field but, quite frankly, off the field he was not a superstar at all.“He was a very ordinary guy, never had any airs and graces, and that was one of the beautiful things about Banksy that I remember very well. “He was a joker, a funny man, for over 50 years and every time we met during our careers or years after he would come up and joke.“Banksy, rest in peace. We love you and we miss you.”Hundreds gathered at the bet365 Stadium to watch the funeral which was broadcast on two big screens.Hours earlier a five-car funeral cortege passed through the ground, stopping for a few minutes at the pitch-side dugout, to a sustained round of applause.6

Sir Geoff Hurst paid his respects

The various achievements of Banks, who made 73 international appearances and was named FIFA goalkeeper of the year on six occasions, were displayed on the screens as a chant of ‘England’s number one’ broke out.Sheffield-born Banks made nearly 200 appearances for Stoke and, such was his standing, he was named the club’s president following the death of Sir Stanley Matthews at the turn of the century.The statue erected in Banks’ honour outside their stadium, holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft in one hand and his gloves in the other, was decorated with several Stoke and England scarves.6

Jack Charlton was among those present

The surrounding area was adorned with shirts, flags and even the odd pair of goalkeeping gloves in tribute to one of the city’s favourite adopted sons.His daughter Wendy spoke poignantly at the service and said he told her shortly before his death: “I’ve had a good innings and a great life.“I have no regrets, I did a job I loved and would have done it for free. But don’t tell them, Wend!”Banks’ funeral was held 47 years to the day since Stoke’s League Cup win – the second time he had won the competition, having done so with Leicester in 1964, but his only trophy with the Potters.6

Bobby Charlton won the World Cup alongside Banks in 1966

En route to the final, Banks memorably saved a penalty from Hurst, whose West Ham side were overcome by Stoke after a semi-final replay.Hurst humorously suggested it was that moment – and not his wonder save from Brazil striker Pele in the 1970 World Cup – that should live long in the memory.He added: “Gordon Banks OBE contributed to the worst moment of my footballing career.“We often joke privately and publicly about the save from Pele but the most important save was the one that got them through (in the League Cup).6

Hundreds gathered at the bet365 stadium

“The save against Pele wasn’t as important – we lost the game and we still qualified for the later stages of the World Cup.”Jack Butland, Joe Anyon and Kasper Schmeichel – the current number ones at the three English clubs Banks played for, Stoke, Chesterfield and Leicester – as well as England stalwart Joe Hart served as pallbearers.Irish author, humanitarian and media producer Don Mullan gave an emotive eulogy to a man he idolised growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland, and with whom he developed a friendship in his later years.6

Banks will go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time

Mullan said: “He was not only the world’s greatest goalkeeper, I had a colossus of humanity for a mentor.“From being a timid, fearful young boy, he taught me that impossible doesn’t exist. Unknown to him he helped save a young fan from making choices that had brought too much sorrow and sadness to Irish and British alike.“Who knows? Perhaps it was his best save ever.”

---

Wenger unlocked a lot of stuff in my mind - Henry New Monaco boss Thierry Henry says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will be a key influence as he begins his managerial career. Henry, who began

---

PIERS MORGAN has likened the thought of Tottenham Hotspur winning the Champions League to a "flesh-eating bug". An Arsenal fan, the 54-year-old is desperately hoping for a Liverpool win in Madrid
Piers Morgan mocks Spurs fans after Arsenal win, says "North

---

Champions League winners odds: Who is favourite to win the

---

What Mauricio Pochettino told Tottenham players about Liverpool before Ajax comeback. Spurs fought back from 3-0 down on aggregate to secure their place in the final of the Champions League
Wallace wins Masters Par 3 contest in playoff - SportsAlert
sportsalert.org/2019/04/10/wallace-wins-masters-par-3-contest-in-playoff/
AUGUSTA, Ga. — It took three extra holes, but Matt Wallace is taking home a trophy from the Masters after winning the annual Par 3 contest on Wednesday. Wallace and 61-year-old Sandy Lyle, the 1988 champion who hasn't made a cut at Augusta the past four years, finished the family-friendly par-3 tournament with a 5-under-par
Jürgen Klopp guides Liverpool to Champions League glory

---

Yesterday night Manchester City vs Schalke 04: Pep Guardiola's men demolish German League side 7-0 - Manchester City vs Schalke 04 ended in a disaster for the German League side as they suffered 7-0 defeat at the Etihad - Two goals from Sergio Aguero and one each from Sterling, Sane, Bernando Silver, Phil Foden and…
Bad Breath: Causes & Treatment Options (Full Eps)

---

UFC star Conor McGregor arrested and charged with 'criminal mischief and strong-armed robbery' after 'smashing fan's phone on Miami beach' Doubt UK PM May will have succeeded in replacing
2M4W5K1 1️⃣ - trello.com

---

After 15-20 minutes of Chelsea bombardment this semi-final really has meandered into some sort of nothingness. The Blues perhaps are conserving energy for a second half assault but as far as
Premier League: Chelsea v Southampton - Live - BBC Sport

---

Christian Eriksen assists: Tottenham playmaker equals Manchester United legend David Beckham's Premier League record Eriksen set up Lucas Moura in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool to make 10 or more
Christian Eriksen - Wikipedia

---

A look at the 20 most expensive footballers by age - including Neymar, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Virgil van Dijk and Zinedine Zidane.
18 hidden gems to watch out for at World Cup 2018 | Goal.com

---

The Premier League's leading assist maker will finally be recognised with the introduction of a new 'Playmaker of the Year' award, which was announced on Wednesday. Manchester City's Kevin
Christian Eriksen: Tottenham will want more than Barcelona

---

Dani Alves becomes the most successful player in football history with 42nd trophy Paris Saint-Germain swept aside AS Monaco 3-1 on Sunday to thereby making Alves the most decorated
Is PSG's Dani Alves the most decorated footballer in the

---

Remove card atorvastatin generic looks like The NFL Players Association "tentatively agreed" to let the league take 40 blood samples for HGH tests each week during the season, with a positive result drawing a four-game suspension, according to a memo the union sent players.
De WoazenbuamAusflug zur Brauerei Erdinger : Kommentare

---

Scotland manager Alex McLeish admits he is in constant dialogue with Angus Gunn's father over the Southampton goalkeeper's international allegiance.. But McLeish will focus on the goalkeepers
Alex McLeish keeping tabs on Angus Gunn | BT Sport

---

Arsenal loan flop Denis Suarez hits back at critics on Twitter - 'Don't talk about my workouts if you have no idea' The Spaniard has made just six substitute appearances since joining the
~ Arsenal loan flop Denis Suarez hits back at critics on

---

Liverpool legend John Barnes has explained how he injured himself in bizarre and hilarious circumstances on a team trip to the Grand National at Aintree - and how he escaped the wrath of Kenny Dalglish.
Confusion reigns as Bassini claims to be 'in control' of Bolton

---