This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

Gordon Banks OBE is always happy to give interviews and sign autographs. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0561917)

GORDON BANKS would like to see Ben Foster establish himself as England’s number one.

Banks is universally regarded as one of the best goalkeepers that the world has ever seen. And the legend has thrown his backing behind Manchester United’s Foster as the player to wear the England number-one shirt that was once his own.

The 24-year-old Foster has recently returned to action after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament nearly a year ago. The incredibly down to earth and friendly Banks was in the island for a Royal Bank of Scotland International-sponsored Lord’s Taverners lunch.

‘The last one to make it his regular spot was [Paul] Robinson, but his form has dropped,’ said Banks.

‘The lad I feel who could make it his own is Manchester United’s Foster.

‘He was going really, really well.’

Foster made a splash when he was on loan at Watford last season and was rewarded with an England cap in a friendly with Spain in February 2007 before his injury.

It has been a recurring theme in the national media that England have struggled to find a keeper since David Seaman.

There have been a number of incumbents used including Robinson, David James and Scott Carson, but not one has proven to be as reliable and as consistent as is required.

England has always prided itself on its keepers and Banks refuses to believe that the country is not producing any more international class shot stoppers.

The man who helped steer England to victory in the 1966 World Cup feels that English keepers are not being given a chance in the domestic game.

‘I’m pretty sure that they are being produced, but I’m disappointed in the managers who aren’t playing them,’ he said.

‘We’ve got a lot of foreign managers and we have goalkeepers, but they aren’t bringing them on. You’re telling me they aren’t good enough to play?

‘They are quick to back a foreign keeper and our keepers can’t get the experience.

‘It will have to change.’

Another aspect of the modern game that concerns Banks is the lighter balls that are being used these days.

It is notable that they move more in the air than the heavier ones that were used when Banks was in his heyday in the 1960s and 70s, making it harder for keepers to save shots.

‘It’s awful for keepers because the ball is too light,’ he said.

‘It’s very difficult for the keeper to make his work the right sort of work. He could be the best positional player, and I like to think I was at the right place at the right time, but when they hit the ball now it moves so much in the air and it’s a simple goal for the shooter.

‘Keepers are making more mistakes because of the ball. It was purposely designed lighter for that reason. It’s wrong.’

Banks was due to speak at the Lord’s Taverners lunch alongside former Northern Ireland and Tottenham Hotspurs keeper Pat Jennings.

But unfortunately a flight cancellation meant Jennings was delayed.

Banks named Jennings as one of the best goalkeepers he had ever seen, along with Peter Schmeichel and the man who vies with Banks for the title of best ever, Russian Lev Yashin.

Another keeper whom Banks picks out is Manchester City Bert Trautmann.

The German played for City from 1949 to 1964.

‘That man was a fantastic goalkeeper,’ he said.

‘It’s a crime he never won a national cap.’

Born in 1937 in Sheffield, Banks made 293 appearances for Leicester City and 194 for Stoke City.

After his debut in 1963, he won 73 caps for England before a serious car accident in 1972 resulted in him losing the sight in his right eye, which curtailed his playing career.

He is probably best known for his save when he dived full stretch across his goal to repel a header from the great Pele during England’s group match with Brazil at the Mexico World Cup in 1970.

A picture of the save with a Brazil shirt signed by Pele was auctioned at the lunch.

It is widely regarded as the greatest save ever.

Pele certainly thinks so.

‘My friends call me “One Save Banks”,’ joked Banks.

‘He shouted “goal” as he was pretty sure that it was going to go in. It’s one of my best.

‘Pat Jennings always says you play in games and only the people in that ground will remember a save. Because it [the Pele save] was on television, millions saw it.

‘But the supporters of Stoke say my save against Geoff Hurst in the semi-final of the League Cup in 1972 was the best save in the world.’