Banksy (57 page)

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Authors: Gordon Banks

27. Training with England. It looks as if I’ve been caught out by the speed of a break from the opposition it must have been Alan Ball.

28. Alf Ramsey was the greatest manager I ever played for. His knowledge of the game, tactics and opponents was second to none. Here Alf offers his England charges the benefit of his profound knowledge and, as always, we are attentive listeners.

29. Leicester City’s four home internationals. From left: Derek Dougan (Northern Ireland), myself, Davie Gibson (Scotland) and Peter Rodrigues (Wales).

30. Welcoming a young Peter Shilton to Filbert Street. Little did I know that my days at Leicester were numbered. Notice our training tops: Graham Cross reckoned they’d been knitted by Matt Gillies’ mother.

31. It was difficult to adjust to the speed and flight of the ball in the high altitude of Mexico ‘70. Here I appear to be just about coping. In the background is Norman Hunter, who for all his fearsome reputation was booked only four times in his career (which, of course, may say much for the tolerance of referees in those days!).

32. The save that brought me global fame. As soon as the ball left Pelé’s head I heard him shout ‘Goto!’ But I had other ideas.

33. The ball balloons over the bar to safety. Bobby Moore said, ‘You’re getting old, Banksy.You used to hold on to them!’

34. The mark of a good goalkeeper is how few saves he is called on to make. Organizing your defence is the key to good goalkeeping. Here I’m telling Bobby Moore, no less, who he should be marking.

35. In action for England against Scotland in 1971. Also in the picture are Martin Chivers (number 10), Roy McFarland, Billy Bremner and Bobby Moore. England won 3-1.

36. George Best about to pounce and flick the ball away from me during the game at Windsor Park in 1971.To this day, George still insists his goal should have been allowed. I’m with the referee on this one.

37. Doing some preseason training of my own around the lanes of Cheshire in 1972.

38. My favourite photograph. Saving Geoff Hurst’s penalty in the 1972 League Cup semi-final second leg at a very atmospheric Upton Park. The poses struck by my Stoke team-mates suggest they were expecting Geoff to score!

39. I celebrate Stoke City’s victory over West Ham in the semifinal of the League Cup in 1972.This was our fourth meeting, at Old Trafford, and the longest League Cup tie ever.

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