Gordon Banks: Former England goalkeeper reveals he has kidney cancer

Banks, 77, says winning the World Cup in 1970 gives him ‘confidence’ to fight the disease

Gordon Banks, 77 (Getty)

The former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks has revealed he is battling kidney cancer again and is drawing on the spirit of England’s World Cup in 1970 to give him strength.

Mr Banks, 77, lost one kidney to cancer 10 years ago, but is now receiving treatment for his other kidney after blood tests showed the presence of cancer.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he said: “Last year we went on our annual holiday to Florida. A week later I couldn’t sleep and then I couldn’t even stand due to the pain.

“I was sent straight to hospital where they told me I had cancer. I was so shocked when they told me it was my kidney.”

Mr Banks is now taking chemotherapy tablets to treat the disease, but says he is “in more pain than ever before”.

“The tablets have left my feet covered in sores and blisters and made it almost impossible to walk at times.

“The blisters have been across the soles of my feet.”

Despite the pain, Mr Banks is pushing through using the memory of what many regard as the greatest save in the history of football in England.

The former goalkeeper was part of England’s only World Cup-winning team, but is most famous for a remarkable diving save from Brazil striker Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which he said he often thinks about.

He said: “If I could make a save like the one against Pele, while playing against the greatest in the world, then I will be able to battle through this health problem.”

If the cancer in his kidney does spread, Mr Banks will need to have it removed, but it is unsure whether a suitable replacement will be available in time.

One of his daughters offered to donate her kidney but suitability tests have not yet been carried out.