Gordon Banks

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Gordon Banks stands as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history. He is the only England goalkeeper to have lifted the World Cup, a feat that cements his place in the nation's sporting pantheon. His six FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year awards reflect his sustained excellence over a decade. The IFFHS ranked him the second-best goalkeeper of the 20th century, behind only Lev Yashin. His legendary save against Pelé in 1970 is widely regarded as the greatest in football history, a moment that transcends the sport. Banks' induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in its inaugural year underscores his lasting impact.

AwardsBanks won the FIFA World Cup with England in 1966, the only England goalkeeper to do so. He was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1972 and won the League Cup with both Leicester City and Stoke City. He was awarded the OBE in 1970 and was named FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year six times. In the NASL, he was Goalkeeper of the Year in 1977.

Honours & Distinctions

English Football Hall of Fame

National Football Museum·2002

Inaugural inductee

FIFA 100

FIFA / Pelé·2004

Named among the world's 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé

Honorary Doctorate

Keele University·2006

Awarded for services to football

Sheffield Walk of Fame

Sheffield City Council·2006

First 'legend' inducted; plaque installed in front of Sheffield Town Hall

Statue Unveiling

Stoke City FC / Pelé·2008

Pelé unveiled a statue of Banks making his famous 1970 World Cup save outside the Britannia Stadium

City of Stoke-on-Trent Hall of Fame

Stoke-on-Trent City Council·2011

Inducted for his contributions to the city

President of Stoke City FC

Stoke City FC·2000

Succeeded Sir Stanley Matthews as club president

Rankings & Lists

IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the 20th Century

IFFHS·2000

#Included

FIFA 100

FIFA·2004

Magazine Covers

World Soccer

1966-08

England's World Cup Heroes

Shoot!

1970-07

Banks: The Save of the Century

Records & Feats

Only England goalkeeper to lift the World Cup

Historic First·1966

Banks started every game of England's 1966 World Cup victory and is the only goalkeeper to have captained the team to the trophy.

Most consecutive clean sheets for England

Career Milestone·1966

Banks kept clean sheets in seven consecutive England matches, a national record.

Longest streak of consecutive England appearances by a goalkeeper

Career Milestone·1966

Banks played 23 consecutive matches for England, a record for a goalkeeper.

Six-time FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year

Awards·1971

Banks won the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year award six times, more than any other goalkeeper in the award's history.