English football is mourning for World Champion goalkeeper Gordon Banks. The former world-class keeper died on the night of Tuesday at the age of 81 years. His former club Stoke City published a corresponding message from Banks' family on his website.

"With great sadness we announce that Gordon has slept peacefully overnight", it said: "We are deeply sad, but we have so many happy memories and could not be more proud of him."

From the family of Gordon Banks

Gordon passed away peacefully overnight.

We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him. pic.twitter.com/mg5GIgSoBb

- Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 12, 2019

Born in Sheffield Banks had won the 1966 World Cup with England. In the final of Wembley, the Three Lions prevailed 4-2 against Germany. "Banks of England" was also famous for his dream parade against Brazil's football icon Pelé during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Banks was from 1966 to 1970 as the best goalkeeper in the world. Before joining Stoke, he spent eight years with Leicester City.