Fans turn out to remember World Cup winner Banks
Funeral is passing through Stoke’s ground.
Hundreds gathered at the bet365 Stadium to pay tribute to 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks ahead of his funeral on Monday.
The former England goalkeeper died, aged 81, on February 12 and is to be laid to rest following a service at Stoke Minster this afternoon.
A five-car funeral cortege passed through Stoke’s stadium, stopping at the pitchside dugout for a few minutes, to sustained applause from the assembled crowd.
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 ground was adorned with shirts, flags and even the odd pair of goalkeeping gloves in tribute to one of the city’s favourite adopted sons.
On the 47th anniversary of Stoke’s League Cup triumph, Banks’ funeral started with a rendition of Abide with Me – a hymn synonymous with the FA Cup final.
He added: “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.”
Hurst started his eulogy by jokingly referencing his penalty that was saved by Banks in the League Cup semi-final between Stoke and West Ham, who were beaten after a replay.
“We often joke privately and publicly about the save from Pele (in the 1970 World Cup) but the most important save was the one that got them through (in the League Cup).
“The save against Pele wasn’t as important – we lost the game and we still qualified for the later stages of the World Cup.”
