Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Gordon Banks death: 'Devastated' Peter Shilton says 'today I lost my hero' as fellow legendary England goalkeeper dies ages 81

Peter Shilton has revealed his "devastation" at the news of Gordon Banks's death, describing England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper as "my hero".

Banks passed away on Monday evening at the age of 81, prompting a chorus of tributes from players and former team-mates alike.

The former Leicester City and Stoke City goalkeeper racked up 73 international caps but, despite 1966's World Cup triumph, will be best remembered for "the greatest save of all time" four years later against Pele.

Shilton is England's all-time record caps holder with 125, and made his debut before Banks called time on his own international career.

Banks has been credited as spotting Shilton as a 13-year-old while both were at Leicester City. Shilton eventually took Banks' first-team spot.

Upon hearing the news on Tuesday, Shilton paid a heartbreaking tribute to Banks.

Banks's final game for England came as a 1-0 win over Scotland in Hampden Park in May 1972. Shilton made his debut against East Germany 18 months earlier.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.