Gordon Banks: World Cup-winning goalkeeper reveals kidney cancer
Last updated on .From the section Football
England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has revealed he is being treated for kidney cancer for a second time.
Banks, 77, is having chemotherapy treatment to try to avoid a transplant.
The former Leicester and Stoke player made what is regarded as the greatest save in the history of football for England against Pele's Brazil in the 1970 World Cup.
"I am one of many in the country who have it," Banks told the Sunday Mirror. "I have to battle on."
Banks lost one kidney to cancer 10 years ago and his latest diagnosis came after a holiday last year.
He said that his sporting achievements, including winning 73 international caps, gave him the "confidence" to "battle through this health problem."
Born in Sheffield, Banks was named Fifa goalkeeper of the year six times during his career, which was cut short when he lost his right eye in a car crash after training in 1972.
In May, Stoke unveiled a bronze sculpture of club president Banks outside the Britannia Stadium. He was also granted the freedom of the city.
