Gordon Banks won the World Cup with England in 1966, but the most memorable moment of the goalkeeper's career came four years later in Mexico.

7^th June, 1970. At Estadio Jalisco in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, World Cup holders England were finding themselves under enormous pressure in the first half of their group match against a Brazil side regarded as the greatest in World Cup history.

Advancing with the ball from the right back position, Brazil captain Carlos Alberto sprayed a low pass over the half way line into the path of Jairzinho. With remarkable poise and balance, the Brazil winger sped past England left back Terry Cooper at full throttle and dug out a looping cross to the far post, where Pele had timed his run to perfection.

The Brazil legend leapt above English right back Tommy Wright and met the ball with a thumping downward header. The ball bounced off the turf towards the bottom corner of the net, but as Pele wheeled away in celebration, Banks' pulled off the most remarkable of saves. The England keeper was still scrambling across the goal line as Pele rose to head the ball, and his reaction was nothing short of phenomenal. Twisting his body and diving backwards in the blink of an eye, Banks somehow clawed the ball up and over the crossbar using his thumb. For a few moments, the watching world struggled to make sense of what had just happened. "Gordon Banks, pick that out of the net!" exclaimed the elated BBC commentator once the dust had settled. "The save of the World Cup," he added. But this wasn't just the save of the tournament; this was quite possibly the greatest save of all time.

It was not just the technical prowess and lightening speed of Banks' save that made it so special, however. The stage could hardly have been bigger. This was Pele, the greatest striker the world has ever seen, up against one of the world's finest keepers. What's more, England were reigning world champions, while Brazil were the finest international side of all time. It was a moment fit for such an occasion.

"It's something people will always remember me for," said Banks in 2005. "They won't remember me for winning the World Cup [in 1966], it'll be for that save," he added. Brazil went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a second half strike from Jairzinho, but England still progressed to the quarter-finals by beating Romania and Czechoslovakia in their other group games. It was in a rematch of the 1966 final against West Germany that their hopes unraveled, and it was no coincidence that England were without Banks for that quarter-final defeat due to an upset stomach. Replacement keeper Peter Bonetti had been slow to react for the German's first goal, and with the scores at 2-2 after 90 minutes, Gerd Muller's extra-time heartbreaker sent England packing. "Of all the players to lose, we had to lose him," rued England manager Alf Ramsey over his first-choice keeper. Brazil, meanwhile, went on to win their third World Cup in emphatic fashion, thrashing Italy 4-1 in the final.

Banks won 73 England caps in an international career that spanned nine years starting in 1963. From 1965 to 1972, he was indisputably England's first-choice goalkeeper. At club-level, Banks' career took off after he was signed by First Division Leicester City from Chesterfield for £7,000 in 1959. After 293 league appearances for the Foxes, he moved to Stoke City in 1967, where he stayed until 1972. He won two League Cups during his time at Leicester and Stoke, but never experienced club success to rival that of his international career.

To remember Banks for one moment alone would be a disservice to the man who is still widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever to have played the game. Banks could never match the feeling of lifting the World Cup in 1966, but at that moment on 7^th June, 1970 in the sweltering heat of Guadalajara, he couldn't have been too far off.

---

Buy our photo of Banks' incredible World Cup save from Pele, signed by Banks himself. Reduced from £49.99 to £29.99 and with limited stock, this is a bargain you won't want to miss. Take a look here.

As the most decorated player in English football history, Ryan Giggs was an obvious choice for Icons Legend of the Week #5.

In a glittering career that has spanned two decades at the very top; the Manchester United winger-turned-playmaker has won just about every trophy going in club football. I mean talk about staying power, back when Giggs won his first trophy it was known as the Rumbelows Cup.

He turns 38 in November, and he is now entering his 21^st season with Manchester United. Since that League Cup win in 1992, the Welsh Wizard has added 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and two Champions League medals to his bourgeoning CV. Throw in eight Community Shields, three more League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup and you still haven't covered it.

I could type out a list of all his individual accolades, but I've a train to catch in three hours. He certainly didn't waste any time though, and having made his league debut as a 17-year-old on 2 March 1991 against Everton, he became the first player to win consecutive PFA Young Player of the year awards in 1992 and 1993. Fast forward to 2005 and he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. PFA Team of the Year six times, Team of the Decade, Team of the Century. He's even got an OBE.

With his first Young Player of the Year award, Giggs established himself as one of the most prodigious young talents in the country. Coupling maturity and intelligence with terrifying pace and outstanding dribbling ability, it was no coincidence that Giggs' emergence coincided with a new era of Manchester United dominance.

Along with the likes of Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes and Paul Ince, Giggs was integral to Sir Alex Ferguson's 1993/94 league and cup double winning side. He's been a mainstay ever since. Sensational goals have littered his long career, and the stunning mazy dribble, slammed finish and chest-bearing celebration in extra-time of the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal remains one of the most memorable goals of recent times.

On 21 May 2008, the night of United's Champions League final triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, Giggs surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for the Red Devils. He also holds the record for the most Premier League appearances, with 573 so far. With an overall total of 876 club appearances, he will be hoping to reach the 900 mark this season. He has scored 159 goals for United, and was their first player to reach the 100 mark in the Premier League. He has netted in 15 Champions League tournaments too, and became the competition's oldest ever scorer with his strike against Schalke 04 last April at 37 years and 148 days.

Giggs captained England Schoolboys as a youngster, but he is a fiercely proud Welshman, and before retiring from international football on 30 May 2007 he represented his country 64 times, scoring 12 goals. When he made his international bow in 1991, he became Wales' youngest debutant, a record he held for seven years.

Giggs signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United in February of this year, and he remains a crucial figure in Sir Alex's squad. A true footballing legend who does his talking on the pitch, I don't think anyone would begrudge him another medal or two.

---

We conducted our first signing with Ryan Giggs back in 1999. We've been working together ever since.

"I've worked with the lads at Icons for ten years, and they've always been professional, reliable and 100% genuine." – Ryan Giggs.

Achievement award tonight. Charlton, 71, helped England to World Cup success in 1966 of course and then led Manchester United to European Cup glory in 1968, scoring twice in the final.

The award, which recognises Sir Bobby's 50 years dedicated to football, was presented to him by brother Jack. Charlton received a standing ovation from the 9,000-capacity audience inside the Liverpool Echo Arena. England 1966 shirts signed by ten of the winning team, including Charlton, and 1968 European Cup shirts are both available in the icons shop.