All at Wigan Athletic pass on their condolences to the family and friends of legendary England, Leicester City and Stoke City goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
- Gordon Banks, 1937-2019.
- Latics and Stoke City to pay tribute to one of England's greatest on Wednesday 13 February.
- A minute's applause to be carried out as a mark of respect to the World Cup winner.
Everyone connected to Wigan Athletic sends their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and supporters of one of England's greatest players, Gordon Banks, who sadly passed away at the age of 81.
As a mark of respect, a minute's applause will be carried out ahead of kick off at Wednesday night's Sky Bet Championship fixture at the DW Stadium with one of Gordon's former clubs, Stoke City.
As a World Cup winner, Gordon had a major impact on the game and will be sadly missed. He made 73 appearances for England, playing in every game of the 1966 World Cup campaign, culminating in the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley. He also won two League Cups and was named FIFA goalkeeper of the year six times in an incredible career.
Latics' first team manager, Paul Cook, paid his respects earlier today, saying:
"Gordon Banks is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers English football has ever seen. His performances for our country, for Leicester and for Stoke won the hearts of football fans and provided lifelong memories, but more so because of his character as a gentleman.
"Everyone here would like to pay our respects to Gordon, to his family and to his friends. Football has today lost a true great."
Latics' first team goalkeeper Jamie Jones added: "It's a sad day for the goalkeeper's union. There are countless goalkeepers who look up to Gordon Banks and use him as inspiration for their careers today.
"I was too young to ever see Gordon play, but his saves are legendary and his demeanour on and off the pitch is something everyone should look to emulate."
On Wednesday evening we will also pay our respects to former Latics midfielder Mick Kennedy who passed away earlier this week.
Mick played 17 times for Latics in his final season in 1993-94, at the end of a career which included spells with Halifax, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Bradford City, Leicester City, Stoke City and Chesterfield, and saw him represent Republic of Ireland twice.
Our thoughts go out to Mick's friends and family at this sad time.
Latics' first team manager, Paul Cook, paid his respects earlier today, saying:
"Gordon Banks is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers English football has ever seen. His performances for our country, for Leicester and for Stoke won the hearts of football fans and provided lifelong memories, but more so because of his character as a gentleman.
"Everyone here would like to pay our respects to Gordon, to his family and to his friends. Football has today lost a true great."
Latics' first team goalkeeper Jamie Jones added: "It's a sad day for the goalkeeper's union. There are countless goalkeepers who look up to Gordon Banks and use him as inspiration for their careers today.
"I was too young to ever see Gordon play, but his saves are legendary and his demeanour on and off the pitch is something everyone should look to emulate."
On Wednesday evening we will also pay our respects to former Latics midfielder Mick Kennedy who passed away earlier this week.
Mick played 17 times for Latics in his final season in 1993-94, at the end of a career which included spells with Halifax, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Bradford City, Leicester City, Stoke City and Chesterfield, and saw him represent Republic of Ireland twice.
Our thoughts go out to Mick's friends and family at this sad time.