SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 19 hrs 33 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
EN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Mar 22, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
CR

5-0

Sterling (24', 62', 68'), Kane (45' pen.), Kalas (84' og.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Tom Heaton reveals Gordon Banks advice following England recall

:Headline: Tom Heaton reveals Gordon Banks advice following England recall: ID:354035: from db_amp
The Burnley goalkeeper described World Cup-winner Banks as a 'hero'.

England will pay tribute to goalkeeping great Gordon Banks at Wembley on Friday when Tom Heaton will return to the squad having heeded the advice given to him by the World Cup-winning "hero".

A sell-out crowd will remember the 1966 star when Gareth Southgate's Three Lions kick off their Euro 2020 qualification campaign against the Czech Republic.

There will be a period of appreciation in England's first match since Banks died aged 81 on February 12, with players to wear black armbands and a banner to be displayed featuring his yellow World Cup shirt and the number one.

Members of his family will be in the Royal Box and representatives from his former club Stoke have been invited to a match that will see their current goalkeeper Jack Butland involved.

Last summer's World Cup number one Jordan Pickford and Burnley's Heaton complete the group, with the latter praising Banks' performances on the field and help away from it in the build-up.

"The fact he was England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper and made the iconic save, of course, 70-odd caps for England was an incredible achievement," Heaton said.

"I was fortunate to meet him a while ago at my dad's golf course. I had a quick chat with him and he was brilliant towards a young goalkeeper at the time.

Tom Heaton spoke of his admiration for Gordon Banks (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I asked him a few different questions about what sort of advice he would have for me.

"Only straightforward stuff, but a brilliant moment for me to have such a hero, really, to give me some really good words of advice.

"I was about 20, I think, around about that. It was just along the basis of, 'what work you put in, you get out'. As straightforward as that, really.

"That, and I remember him telling me to make sure I enjoyed it. And he is right.

Heaton is pleased to be back in the England fold (Martin Rickett/PA)

"You have certainly got to appreciate it. I have found that myself coming back after being out so long, you get an appreciation for being out there and enjoying every moment of it."

Heaton has certainly benefited from that advice in recent years.

Having gone to Euro 2016 and established himself as part of the squad, the 32-year-old's World Cup hopes were derailed at the start of the 2017-18 season by a nasty shoulder injury.

Heaton watched on as Burnley understudy Nick Pope broke into the England set-up and capped a fine season by heading to Russia, with club competition then increased by Joe Hart's summer arrival.

Heaton, right, and Joe Hart are team-mates at Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)

It meant the former Manchester United youth prospect had to bide his time on the sidelines, although his impressive return to the fold at Turf Moor brought an international recall for this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers.

"Brilliant," Heaton said of his return. "Obviously it was a frustrating first part of the season.

"To get back in the team and be back here, it's sort of a nice end to a difficult journey, really.

"It was tough. You get injured. It was a longer-term injury, I probably didn't know the details of it at the time, didn't realise the scale of it, to be honest.

"The first part of it is OK, you get your rehabilitation in. Towards the end when your mind sort of thinks that you're ready but physically you're not quite there, that can be a touch frustrating.

"And probably the hardest bit of all is being back fit and then not playing.

"It's difficult but you put the work in, the graft, the opportunity comes and thankfully I'm back here today."

Heaton's return to the England squad comes with arguably the first calls for him to be England's number one, thanks to Pickford's recent wobbles.

The Everton goalkeeper's penalty shootout heroics against Colombia capped a fine all-round tournament, but the 25-year-old's form has been questionable with the Toffees.

Heaton has not spoken about it with Pickford but does not believe he would "bat an eyelid" about the scrutiny.

"There is a support network there with discussion about how best to face certain things but that is how the life of the goalkeeper is," he said.

"Since being back in the team I have been enjoying every moment.

"It can be tough, but the important thing is you have got the broad shoulders to take it and keep ploughing on, and that's what I think."

amp_article__354035 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-21 08:44:07:
html db last update - 2019-03-21 08:44:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Tom Heaton

Click here for more stories about Burnley

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .