Question 1

True or false: The save against Pele in 1970 is often called 'the save of the century'.

Accepted Answer

True. FIFA and many pundits have dubbed it the greatest save ever, with Pele himself saying he thought it was a goal until Banks appeared.

Question 2

True or false: He won the World Cup with England in 1966 as the starting goalkeeper.

Accepted Answer

True. Banks played every minute of the 1966 tournament, keeping four clean sheets and earning the Golden Glove equivalent before it was official.

Question 3

True or false: Banks lost an eye in a car accident in 1972, which ended his top-level career.

Accepted Answer

True. A 1972 car crash cost him sight in his right eye, forcing his retirement from professional football at age 34.

Question 4

True or false: Banks never played for a club outside of England during his entire career.

Accepted Answer

True. He played for Chesterfield, Leicester City, and Stoke City, and had a brief stint in the United States with the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Question 5

True or false: Gordon Banks once saved a penalty from Pele with his little finger.

Accepted Answer

True. Banks deflected Pele's header onto the crossbar with just his fingertip in the 1970 World Cup, though Pele called it the greatest save he'd ever seen.

Question 6

True or false: After retiring, Gordon Banks became a professional golfer and won a senior tour event.

Accepted Answer

False. He loved golf but never turned pro; instead, he ran a pub, worked as a coach, and made public appearances after his career ended.

Question 7

True or false: Gordon Banks was knighted for his services to football in 1970.

Accepted Answer

False. He was appointed an MBE in 1970, but never knighted. Only a few footballers have received knighthood, like Bobby Charlton.

Question 8

True or false: He was the first goalkeeper to be named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Accepted Answer

False. That award began in 1991, long after Banks retired. No goalkeeper won it until Manuel Neuer in 2014.

Gordon Banks Trivia Questions