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Banksy: My Autobiography
For ten years Gordon Banks was not only England's number one, but was also acknowledged to be the best goalkeeper in the world. This book is about more than football. It tells the story of the man who represents all that was admirable about the beautiful game in a golden era - the background behind a genuine English hero. Encompassing triumph and tragedy, the book is told from the point of view of an insider, charting from within English football's finest years.
464 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2020
Engaging and comprehensive account of the football career of a true football great written with characteristic self depreciation, this autobiography is much more than a personal journey as it offers wide ranging insight into the development of the game of football as a context to a great career cut short in tragic circumstances. Like many good sporting biographies it falls short of a great read in skating over life away from football, but in spite of that shortcoming it's an engaging and immensely informative and perceptive commentary on the beautiful game that Gordon Banks graced.
June 13, 2021
Very honest book by Gordon Banks, to date the only England goalkeeper to taste World Cup glory in 1966.
Banksy takes the reader through his young days as an aspiring goalkeeper for a local team where in his first two games managed to concede 12 goals in one game and 7 in the next one. Banks takes us through his playing career from Chesterfield to Leicester, where he played in two FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals, to Stoke where he was a League Cup winner before his career was cut tragically short in a car crash. His England career speaks for itself, making his debut against Scotland in 1964, he was in the World Cup winning squad of 1966 and remained the regular goalkeeper until 1972. From 1966-71 he was voted FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year, Player of the Year in 1972 and NASL Goalkeeper of the year 1977 with Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Not afraid to express his opinion, Banks gives his own tasteful opinions about the game and how it's run.
Banksy takes the reader through his young days as an aspiring goalkeeper for a local team where in his first two games managed to concede 12 goals in one game and 7 in the next one. Banks takes us through his playing career from Chesterfield to Leicester, where he played in two FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals, to Stoke where he was a League Cup winner before his career was cut tragically short in a car crash. His England career speaks for itself, making his debut against Scotland in 1964, he was in the World Cup winning squad of 1966 and remained the regular goalkeeper until 1972. From 1966-71 he was voted FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year, Player of the Year in 1972 and NASL Goalkeeper of the year 1977 with Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Not afraid to express his opinion, Banks gives his own tasteful opinions about the game and how it's run.
June 9, 2020
A fascinating insight into the early traditions of football, thoroughly well researched, and well written. The book gives a balanced view of life in Sheffield in the 1940s, society and its changes during the war, and how football was consumed, and reflected society as it was then, by the working class. You have to admire the dedication, and hard work that Gordon Banks put into training himself into the amazing goalkeeper that he was for Chesterfield, Leicester, Stoke and England. Gordon Banks gives us his experiences of that ‘66 World Cup win and the subsequent strange goings on during the ‘70 World Cup in Mexico. He also talks about losing his eye, going to play in America and life, and employment, after a career as a footballer. Astonishing read.
July 17, 2019
My Mum is a Huge Banksy Fan so It Was a Thrill to read For Her & Me, I learned so much due to reading about him or watching highlights of games he played in for England (amazing save he made of the header by Pele in 1970). Certainly England’s best ever, worldwide he’s in the top 3. I was born shortly after he retired but being brought up to enjoy football around age of 6 onwards, I learned so much about those who won 1966 World Cup. Couldn’t put this book down. RIP Banksy, you are & will remain sorely missed. Never be forgotten xxxx
August 13, 2022
A history of football as well as Gordon’s own story. One of the better football autobiographies I have ever read and one which is funny, enlightening and thoughtful. Occasionally moves into rose tinted spectacle territory, but who can blame him. As close to a conversation with an imagined grandparent as a book can get.
September 20, 2022
Entertaining and interesting book by the best ever goalkeeper
March 17, 2014
Those wanting dirt and intrigue need to steer clear. Banksy's autobiography is erudite, informative, interesting and enjoyable but short on controversy. Much like the man himself.
There is plenty from his early life and early career at Chesterfield and obviously both the '66 and '70 World Cups get a good show. Loads of great names have played against and alongside Gordon and he recalls many of them with an almost unreal clarity.
His awful car accident is dealt with in a matter-of-fact way that leaves us certain that he was the architect of his own misfortune and yet we still feel great sympathy for him as the realisation that he will not play football in England again sinks in.
His insights into his training methods make him seem a real trailblazer and with hindsight I believe he was. He took goalkeeping to a new level of professionalism and this book makes you appreciate the art greatly.
A warm man, and a warm read. Recommended.
There is plenty from his early life and early career at Chesterfield and obviously both the '66 and '70 World Cups get a good show. Loads of great names have played against and alongside Gordon and he recalls many of them with an almost unreal clarity.
His awful car accident is dealt with in a matter-of-fact way that leaves us certain that he was the architect of his own misfortune and yet we still feel great sympathy for him as the realisation that he will not play football in England again sinks in.
His insights into his training methods make him seem a real trailblazer and with hindsight I believe he was. He took goalkeeping to a new level of professionalism and this book makes you appreciate the art greatly.
A warm man, and a warm read. Recommended.
November 6, 2020
A very enjoyable read. A solid and reliable working class man who became an even more solid and reliable club and country goalkeeper. Honest with no frills but enjoyable because of it not in spite of it. Football was better then. No question.
August 26, 2014
Very interesting book. If you want to know how was the football in the fifties, sixties and seventies, read this book. I believe you will enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed it. You will also see that football was different, all the things around football (marketing, PR, merchandising, TV etc.) were different.
Gordon Banks was not just a great goalkeeper, he is a funny guy as well (as lot of his comments were really funny).
Gordon Banks was not just a great goalkeeper, he is a funny guy as well (as lot of his comments were really funny).
January 27, 2011
This didn't live up to my expectations and I felt that he dwells to long on his childhood, a very mundane and straight forward autobiography.
Want to read
August 2, 2013epub version
June 2, 2016
Great through his youth and developmental years, dragged a bit as he reached First Division level, though fans who know the teams involved would probably appreciate it more.
June 4, 2023
Good book about the Banks of England
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews