So that’s where the great Gordon Banks went for his Fish n’ Chips during his time with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers back in 1977. @EnglandMemories #GordonBanks #FortLauderdaleStrikers @footieonthisday pic.twitter.com/Ce9TQ5GdyW— Football Back Then ⚽️๐⚽️ (@FootballThen) January 11, 2018
#Legend. #Icon. #Trailblazer. #Gentleman. Not to mention, hard-working and encouraging.
But above all else, modest and self-effacing.
All over England and the soccer world today, generations of people and football fans are thinking of the talent, personality and work ethic of Gordon Best on news of his passing, and thanking him for being what he was. Himself. Unique.
(And the man who helped give England what it had never had before in the World Cup but desperately craved -dignity and bragging rights!)
And by because of how Gordon Banks played, conducted himself and interacted with people, for a whole generation of people, he set the gold standard by which to measure all other athletes, on and off the pitch, playing field or arena.
#Class.
I first saw Gordon Banks play in-person, years later after his World Cup history-making saves with the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium in 1977, where my best friends and soccer teammates went to Striker games several times a month, and year after year, having more fun there then just about anywhere we went at a time when both the Dolphins and Hurricane football teams were mediocre, though I still went to all of their games, too, of course.
Even the rides to the Strikers games in Fort Lauderdale via 1-95 in North Miami Beach were fun, where we'd go in a caravan of 5-6 cars if it was a big game against the hated Tampa Bay Rowdies or star-filled New York Cosmos, but just 2-3 cars if it was against a lesser team.
And, sometimes, on good days and nights, we'd have our friends from the elite NMB High School girls gymnastics team -of whom I was the manager of- come along with us to the games.
That always made things even more fun, because we had a lot of fun-loving girls on that team back then, some of whom even dated my friends on the NMB soccer team, back when we were one of the top teams in Florida, having won the 1976 state high school championship.
Of course, you also had to think about what kind of music the driver preferred, too.
How much food could be consumed by a car full of high school kids before we made it to the stadium parking lot 20 miles away? As it turn out, quite a LOT!
So many great memories!
#NASL50TH: #OnThisDay in 1977 – Record crowd of 77,691 witness @NYCosmos defeat visiting #FortLauderdaleStrikers, 8:3, in 1st leg of #NASL Division Championship Playoff, at #GiantsStadium. Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia notched a hat-trick, to lead #NYCosmos' offense. pic.twitter.com/Rft6TlBKnm— Steve T (@Steve1T) August 14, 2018
"Der Bomber" #GerdMuller with kit of #FortLauderdaleStrikers #NASL @OldFootball11 @facciacalcio @robertmdaws @FootballArchive @SuperbFootyPics @thecentretunnel @NASLInsider @VoetbalNLbeeld @olympia_vintage pic.twitter.com/cIOJ2mmEnr— Fรบtbolismo (@ftblsm) September 13, 2018
I had followed the team there from the Orange Bowl in Little Havana, where I had regularly watched them as their predecssor, the Miami Toros (Gatos) from 1972 thru 1976. I was there the day they lost the 1974 NASL championship at home to the Los Angeles Aztecs in overtime.
I was able to go so frequently, despite living in North Miami Beach near the 163rd street Shopping Center- because my family had several season tickets on the north side of the Orange Bowl, right near the middle of the field, courtesy of my mother's employer.The benefits to Junior High School age me were obvious from the start, as my Mom or Dad were always taking me and my two sisters, and as I got older and was playing soccer myself, bring my best friends and teammates if my sisters were not into it, which they usually were not.
Sometimes, my friends and I even brought girls as dates, too!
I even saw their game down at Tropical Park against Pele, where my late father and I sat in bleacher seats that, to me at least, seemed like they could not possibly have been inspected as thoroughly as we expected or wanted!
https://thenewtropic.com/miami-soccer-history/
https://www.si.com/vault/1975/06/16/606647/the-pied-piper-of-miami
We’re deeply saddened to hear that Gordon Banks, our #WorldCup-winning goalkeeper, has passed away.— England (@England) February 12, 2019
Our thoughts are with Gordon’s friends, family and supporters at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nbzncYBCFA
As well as helping the #ThreeLions to glory in 1966, Gordon will be remembered for THAT save against Brazil four years later.— England (@England) February 12, 2019
A true England legend ๐pic.twitter.com/RTDZKaMKBt
"An all-time great for England, moments from his remarkable World Cup-winning career will continue to linger long in the memory."https://t.co/HGCrWnmkqX— England (@England) February 12, 2019
Stoke and Leicester City legend Gordon Banks dies aged 81 | ITV News, https://youtu.be/pGTuezZWmMs
Tribute to the great Gordon Banks. RIP. https://t.co/j0c0vviDaw— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 12, 2019
Bobby Moore’s reaction is priceless. Despair, then disbelief, then just polite appreciation of what he had just witnessed. No punching the air. Banks just got up to get on with the game.Imagine the fuss that would be made today. Imagine all the hype afterwards— Andrew Thomas (@andyrugbygolf) February 12, 2019
As devout #Dolphins season ticket holder growing up in '70's, had ����family living across street in #NorthMiamiBeach. Gradually taught 'em abt American ��. When thr Dad heard me talk glowing abt #BobGriese, he said,— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) February 12, 2019
"Yes, a #GordonBanks: talent + confidence + quiet resolve" ��
๐ฌ๐ง I am one of the many who built their dreams on your perfect save!Once more, with all my heart: thank you, dear #GordonBanks— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) February 12, 2019
๐ pic.twitter.com/dzFf51f5ft
I interviewed Gordon Banks when I was at the Mercury.— Lee Marlow (@LM_Marlow) February 12, 2019
I told him my lad played in goal.
I didn’t put his response in the story but it was so lovely I transcribed it and gave it to my son.
It’s still on his bedroom wall today.
God bless you, Gordon Banks x pic.twitter.com/ItGZmqQwTQ
"He will forever be regarded as an @England great and as one of the world’s best goalkeepers."https://t.co/DpNxlq40gC— The FA (@FA) February 12, 2019
Goalkeeping has changed a lot since Gordon and I played. But if he were playing today, he would still be one of the very best. Rest in peace, my friend. https://t.co/NYDiEzY6VZ pic.twitter.com/EOYmMKbgPH— Pelรฉ (@Pele) February 12, 2019
People may well remember Gordon Banks for that save, but Pele will remember the former England goalkeeper as a friend and fine human being.https://t.co/pe8BHOUtJa pic.twitter.com/jCIvml6nOy— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
Remembering Gordon Banks: England’s 1966 World Cup-Winning Goalkeeper, https://youtu.be/1EpYZXSqO8g
A fierce opponent and a good man.— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) February 12, 2019
Rest in peace, Gordon Banks ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/lAGgAulKuO
RIP Gordon Banks OBE. pic.twitter.com/R6aindAVBu— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) February 12, 2019
Manager Nathan Jones, CEO Tony Scholes, Stoke City players and Club staff held a minute's silence before training this morning in memory of Gordon Banks OBE, who has passed away at the age of 81. pic.twitter.com/bMOCb7yU9O— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
Stoke City are to open a book of condolence to allow fans to pay tribute to Gordon Banks OBE.— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
The book of condolence will be situated in main reception at the bet365 Stadium from 8am until 6pm from Wednesday onwards. pic.twitter.com/R8AudImaZH
Rest In Peace Gordon! pic.twitter.com/1DSLVnLcCn— Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) February 12, 2019
One of the world's greatest ever goalkeepers, Gordon Banks OBE.https://t.co/wUWcGS3BnU pic.twitter.com/3xl8D5kgBz— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019
Gordon. The Greatest. Rest in Peace. And thanks for all you gave us. (“Bobby” Footage courtesy of eOne. And England’s All Time Number One.) pic.twitter.com/c0KYBYILWG— Matt Lorenzo (@lorenzomatthew) February 12, 2019
How Gordon Banks rose from the ashes of bagging coal in Sheffield to win it all https://t.co/ZUI2AdSbEb— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 12, 2019
The save of the century: How Gordon Banks stunned the world with incredible acrobatic stop against Pele in 1970 World Cup classic https://t.co/cj9oUWTkX9— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 12, 2019
We used to always speak about finishing. His advice to me was to try and catch keepers early - "get the shot away early" he'd say. In 1970 we saw one of the greatest crosses, met by one of the greatest headers and saved by one of the greatest goalkeepers. RIP GB ❤️๐๐ฟ Thank you pic.twitter.com/q2PlIJiBmk— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) February 12, 2019
@RedBroward @BigOShow I was there @ LockhartStadium fm the beginning, too, in 1977. Along w/my best friends & ⚽️ teammates. #fun beyond measure!๐— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) February 12, 2019
MT @FourFourTwoMY How a 39-year-old #GordonBanks left his mark on the #NASL & #FortLauderdale #Strikers. ⚽️https://t.co/P3kP12e8Bw
MARTIN SAMUEL: There will only ever be one Gordon Banks - the undisputed champion of great goalkeepers https://t.co/QaqitCuBiH— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 12, 2019
#NASL50TH: #OnThisDay in 1980 – @NYCosmos captured its 4th #NASL #SoccerBowl trophy after defeating #FortLauderdaleStrikers, 3:0, before a crowd of 50,786, at Washington, D.C.’s #RFKStadium. Giorgio Chinaglia scored twice, while Julio Cรฉsar Romero added a tally for #NYCosmos. pic.twitter.com/P0aMv8K6Go— Steve T (@Steve1T) September 21, 2018
#Legend. #Icon. #Trailblazer. #Gentleman. #WorldCup Class all the way. #GordonBanks. R.I.P. #England's #1 ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ.— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) February 12, 2019
And I saw him play when he was GK for #FortLauderdaleStrikers, too. ⚽️๐ด⚽️๐ดhttps://t.co/li6xO3SfQG
Dave
Snapchat: SoBeHoosier
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