Birth of Gordon Banks
Birth of Gordon Banks
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Gordon Banks Biography and Timeline
Follow Gordon Banks through 18 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Gordon Banks, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
18Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1937–1972Years on this page
1937
1961
1961 FA Cup Final Goalkeeping Appearance
Banks plays in goal for Leicester City in the 1961 FA Cup final at Wembley, where Tottenham Hotspur win 2-0 to complete their league-and-cup double.
1963
Debut
Makes England debut against Scotland
1964
League Cup
Banks has some domestic success when Leicester beat Stoke City 4-3 in the League Cup final over two legs
1966
Opening Match Clean Sheet
Keeps Uruguay from scoring in England's opening World Cup match at Wembley, a 0-0 draw that begins the hosts' unbeaten tournament run.
Four Match Shutout Run
Completes a fourth successive clean sheet when England beat Argentina 1-0, maintaining an unbreached defence through the opening four tournament matches.
Semi-Final Win Over Portugal
Starts in goal as England overcome a dangerous Portuguese attack 2-1, helping the home side reach its first World Cup final.
Championship Final Goalkeeping Duty
Keeps goal for England in the dramatic final, playing through normal time and extra time as the hosts eventually defeat West Germany 4-2.
World Cup Winner
Gordon Banks starts every England match at the 1966 World Cup and guards the goal in the 4-2 final victory over West Germany. His positioning and command are central to the hosts’ championship campaign.
World Cup
Winner of a World Cup winners medal.
International Caps
Represents England as its starting goalkeeper throughout the 1966 World Cup and keeps a clean sheet in the final group match against France.
1970
Banks Keeps Opening Match Shutout
Gordon Banks keeps a clean sheet against Romania as England earn two points from their first Group Three match.
Banks Denies Pele Header
Gordon Banks leaps to his right to turn away a downward header from Pelé, producing one of the most celebrated saves in World Cup history.
Banks Saves Pelé Downward Header
Banks produced a remarkable save from Pelé's close-range header as England faced the eventual champions in Mexico.
Save from Pele
Produces a celebrated reflex save from Pele's downward header against Brazil.
Banks Registers Second Group Shutout
Gordon Banks keeps Czechoslovakia scoreless, helping England advance from a demanding group containing Brazil and Romania.
OBE
Awarded the OBE
1972
Footballer of the Year
FWA Footballer of the Year
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.