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Top 20 England players of all time - #5

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Sports Mole's countdown of the top 20 England players of all time continues with number five - Gordon Banks.

Gordon Banks (73 caps, no goals)

One of very few English players who can hold a legitimate claim to being the best in their position in world football history, Gordon Banks established himself as one of the leading goalkeepers throughout the 1960s and beyond.

Banks was brought into the England fold by Alf Ramsey in 1963 and soon became the team's undisputed number one despite competition from the likes of Ron Springett and Peter Bonetti.

There was never any doubt that the 'Banks of England' would be between the sticks for the 1966 World Cup, and the shot-stopper did not concede a single goal in the tournament until Eusebio scored from the penalty spot in England's 2-1 semi-final win over Portugal.

Two more goals followed in the final against West Germany, but Geoff Hurst's hat-trick at the other end, along with a Martin Peters strike, ensured that England lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for the first and so far only time.

It was at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico that Banks had his most iconic moment, though, producing a save which many believe to be the greatest ever when he flicked Pele's powerful downward header over the crossbar whilst the Brazilian striker was wheeling away to celebrate what he thought was a certain goal.

Banks was still the number one for club and country when his career was prematurely ended by a car crash which cost him the sight in one of his eyes, but he had already done enough to establish himself as one of the all-time greats of football.

During his 73 appearances for England, Banks kept 35 clean sheets and was on the losing side just nine times, but there was not as much success at club level, with the former Leicester City and Stoke City man winning just two League Cup crowns during his career.

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