RIP GORDON BANKS

[Rufus Smalls]

Without looking into it I remember a Cup semi final at Upton Park and a penalty shootout between Stoke and West Ham. Banks pulled off an astonishing save from one of the penalties to help Stoke go through to the final. Can anyone confirm ?

RIP Banksy.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Banks in action against us, FA Cup semi-final 1961

 

[Silent Blade]

Without looking into it I remember a Cup semi final at Upton Park and a penalty shootout between Stoke and West Ham. Banks pulled off an astonishing save from one of the penalties to help Stoke go through to the final. Can anyone confirm ?

RIP Banksy.

West Ham won the 1st leg by 2-1 at Stoke. Stoke were winning by a goal in the 2nd leg and Banks saved the Geoff Hurst penalty. The first replay was at S6 and it ended in a 0-0 draw (I was there). Seat cushions were thrown onto the pitch by fans in the North Stand after the final whistle/ Stoke won the 2nd replay at Old Trafford by 3-2

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Had the pleasure of meeting him about 20 years lovely humble bloke and a true gent .. RIP Gordon .. a true great

 

[jockdodds]

West Ham won the 1st leg by 2-1 at Stoke. Stoke were winning by a goal in the 2nd leg and Banks saved the Geoff Hurst penalty. The first replay was at S6 and it ended in a 0-0 draw (I was there). Seat cushions were thrown onto the pitch by fans in the North Stand after the final whistle/ Stoke won the 2nd replay at Old Trafford by 3-2

West Ham won the 1st leg by 2-1 at Stoke. Stoke were winning by a goal in the 2nd leg and Banks saved the Geoff Hurst penalty. The first replay was at S6 and it ended in a 0-0 draw (I was there). Seat cushions were thrown onto the pitch by fans in the North Stand after the final whistle/ Stoke won the 2nd replay at Old Trafford by 3-2

I was at the 1st replay too. When I met Gordon I asked him (of course) about his save against Pele, and he told me he thought his penalty save against Hurst was even better. See post #41 for a photo and a description of the save.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The save from Pele looks even better in slow motion, it defies the law of physics. I would say it wasn't the save of the century but the save of all time.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

RIP Gordon. You broke my heart in 1961, but put it back together in 1966.The world is a poorer place without you.

 

[originaltrueblade]

Banks in action against us, FA Cup semi-final 1961

My Dad took me out of school early that day for this second replay night match at St Andrews I Hated Leicester for years I have to say, especially as the first match at Elland Road we had a perfectly good Doc Pace goal disallowed. I think we would have given Spurs more of a game in the final the ref at the first game at Elland Road said years later his only regret was disallowing that Doc Pace goal and admitted he got it wrong

 

[GrayBlade]

Unbelievable keeper. R.I.P. Gordon.

 

[Bill Johnson]

Been at work since 6 this morning. Saw the news about Gordon passing sometime thereafter.
Can't work out yet why it's upset me immensely all day and still is. I was 5 in 66 so have no great memory of the achievement but Mexico 70 was and is to me the best tournament ever. Maybe that's the connection.
God bless you Gordon. Thank you for all you did for clubs and country. I feel very humble tonight.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Reading the tribute by Pele reminds us of how football can be the beautiful game (and other sports too, to be fair). He says that he is glad that Banks made that save, because it established a friendship and respect between the two of them that lasted for the rest of their lives. Sport and humanity coming together at their very best.