Fifa have posted on Instagram to pay tribute to England legend and 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks, who has sadly passed away aged 81.

Image source, Reuters

Gordon Banks won the World Cup in 1966, but is also known for the famous save he made to deny Brazilian legend Pele in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Here's what the England goalkeeper said about that iconic moment in football history:

"What helped me was the practice I had out there because the pitch was rock hard, like a main road. So mentally I had to get used to landing on this hard surface. I'd done it before, but not to the same extent, and the ball sometimes used to drop short of my dive and kick up.

"So now I'm watching it to see how high it kicked up and for me to get a hand to it. That’s what helped me make the save from Pele."

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Sir Bobby Charlton was one of Gordon Banks' England team-mates in 1966 and 1970.

The former Manchester United midfielder has said: "Lady Norma and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon Banks.

"Gordon was a fantastic goalkeeper, without doubt one of the best England has ever had.

"I was proud to call him a team-mate. Obviously we shared that great day in 1966 but it was more than that. Even though I was on the pitch and have seen it many times since, I still don’t know how he saved that header from Pele.

"Gordon will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time."

BBC Radio 5 live

Coming up very shortly on BBC Radio 5 live you can hear from Harry Redknapp and Ray Clemence as they pay tribute to Gordon Banks.

Use the audio icon at the top of this page to listen to that now.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live have spoken to a fan who attended that final in 1966....

Gordon from Nottingham said: "I was at the World Cup final in 1966 as a 12-year-old boy from Burnley.

"I went on a coach with my uncle and cousin. My dad spent £5 to let me attend the final. He couldn't afford for us both to go so he sent me.

"The price of the ticket was 10 bob - 50 pence in today's money. Gordon Banks was a true legend. The best keeper England ever had."

Image source, Getty Images

England manager Gareth Southgate: "I am deeply saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing.

"An all-time great for England, I was privileged enough to be in his company on a number of occasions.

"It was particularly special to be with him at a Football Writers’ tribute dinner last year and wish him well on his 80th birthday.

"Gordon spoke to the room about that incredible save from Pele against Brazil back in 1970 and moments like that from his remarkable World Cup-winning career will continue to linger long in the memory.

"On behalf of everyone connected with England, I send my condolences to his wife Ursula, his family and friends."

Gordon Banks also featured in a set of Royal Mail stamps produced in 2013 to celebrate 150 years of the Football Association.

He was one of 11 football heroes from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to feature on them.

Banks said he felt "very, very proud" to be selected.

Image source, Getty Images

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Former Wales and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall: "He taught me for a bit. He had an incredible knowledge of goalkeeping, but more than that, he was a gentleman.

"He was so laid back, so professional and a model goalkeeper. He was a model man too. He changed people's perceptions of goalkeeping."

Image source, Getty Images

A statue of Gordon Banks was unveiled outside Stoke City's stadium in 2015.

The former England international joined the Potters in 1967 and went on to make 250 appearances for the club, winning the League Cup in 1972.

Gordon Banks won 73 England caps between 1963 and 1972, playing in two World Cups.

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Stoke chairman Peter Coates has been paying tribute to Gordon Banks, who joined the Potters in 1967 and went on to make 250 appearances for the club.

"We've been expecting his, he has been poorly for a number of weeks but it’s a very sad day for us, we love him so much. He made his home in Stoke, and was very much part of the fabric of the club. You don’t get too many like him, and he was immensely modest for all talent.

"He was England's greatest goalkeeper when they had their finest hour. He told me when they walked out at Wembley for the final, and he had goose-bumps, he had never seen anything like it."

As well as winning the World Cup, Gordon Banks won the League Cup with Leicester (1964) and Stoke (1972).

He played 356 games for Leicester between 1959 and 1967.

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Image source, Getty Images

Former England midfielder Alan Mullery, who played with Gordon Banks in the 1970 World Cup match against Brazil, describes how he remembers the famous save to deny Pele.

"Jairzinho was flying down the wing, and he clips ball to the far post, and Pele - who climbed to such a height better than anybody else - headed the ball and Gordon went from one post to another and he flicks the ball with his fingertips and it just goes over the crossbar.

"I patted him on his head, and I said 'why didn’t you catch it?' and the abuse that came back was unbelievable. He was the best at that time. We had some great goalkeepers in those days, and the only person I can think came near was Pat Jennings.

"He was absolutely marvelous goalkeeper. He was a likable man, and when it came to business, he was probably the best there has ever been."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Gordon Banks, who has died aged 81, will take his place in history as a key component of the only England team to win the World Cup as West Germany were beaten at Wembley on 30 July 1966.

The defining moment of the legendary goalkeeper's career, however, came four years later when Sir Alf Ramsey's England went to Mexico to defend their crown - and is the moment for which he will always be remembered.

Here's more from BBC Sport's chief football writer...

The news was confirmed by his family today via one of his former clubs, Stoke City.