Gordon Banks was described as a ‘celebrity’ by Sir Geoff Hurst as footballers previous and current turned out to pay their respects to the World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
The previous England worldwide died, aged 81, on February 12 and his funeral was held at Stoke Minster on Monday afternoon.
Hurst, Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton and Roger Hunt, who have been within the beginning XI alongside Banks as England defeated Germany 4-2 within the 1966 World Cup ultimate, have been among the many mourners.
A popularity as one of many best shot-stoppers of his or any period was not the one legacy Banks left behind, in keeping with Hurst.
The previous striker mentioned in a shifting eulogy: “He was a celebrity on the sector however, fairly frankly, off the sector he was not a celebrity in any respect.
“He was a really abnormal man, by no means had any airs and graces, and that was one of many stunning issues about Banksy that I bear in mind very nicely.
“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.
The assorted achievements of Banks, who made 73 worldwide appearances and was named FIFA goalkeeper of the yr on six events, have been displayed on the screens as a chant of ‘England’s primary’ broke out.
Sheffield-born Banks made practically 200 appearances for Stoke and, such was his standing, he was named the membership’s president following the demise of Sir Stanley Matthews on the flip of the century.
The statue erected in Banks’ honour outdoors their stadium, holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft in a single hand and his gloves within the different, was adorned with a number of Stoke and England scarves.
The encircling space was adorned with shirts, flags and even the odd pair of goalkeeping gloves in tribute to one of many metropolis’s favorite adopted sons.
His daughter Wendy spoke poignantly on the service and mentioned he advised her shortly earlier than his demise: “I’ve had a great innings and a fantastic life.
“I’ve no regrets, I did a job I liked and would have carried out it free of charge. However don’t inform them, Wend!”
Banks’ funeral was held 47 years to the day since Stoke’s League Cup win – the second time he had gained the competitors, having carried out so with Leicester in 1964, however his solely trophy with the Potters.
En path to the ultimate, Banks memorably saved a penalty from Hurst, whose West Ham facet have been overcome by Stoke after a semi-final replay.
Hurst humorously urged it was that second – and never his wonder save from Brazil striker Pele within the 1970 World Cup – that ought to dwell lengthy within the reminiscence.
He added: “Gordon Banks OBE contributed to the worst second of my footballing profession.
“We frequently joke privately and publicly concerning the save from Pele however a very powerful save was the one which acquired them by way of (within the League Cup).
“The save towards Pele wasn’t as necessary – we misplaced the sport and we nonetheless certified for the later phases of the World Cup.”
Jack Butland, Joe Anyon and Kasper Schmeichel – the present quantity ones on the three English golf equipment Banks performed for, Stoke, Chesterfield and Leicester – in addition to England stalwart Joe Hart served as pallbearers.
Irish creator, humanitarian and media producer Don Mullan gave an emotive eulogy to a person he idolised rising up in Derry, Northern Eire, and with whom he developed a friendship in his later years.
Mullan mentioned: “He was not solely the world’s best goalkeeper, I had a colossus of humanity for a mentor.
“From being a timid, fearful younger boy, he taught me that unattainable doesn’t exist. Unknown to him he helped save a younger fan from making selections that had introduced an excessive amount of sorrow and disappointment to Irish and British alike.
“Who is aware of? Maybe it was his finest save ever.”
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