For the duration of the 2010 World Cup, Gourmet Burger Kitchen is becoming Gordon Banks' Kitchen. It's got the same intials y'see. CRAZY.
Whilst we were waiting to meet Gordon to talk passionately about things he's probably already spoken about a million times before, we sampled the Argentina Burger – The Habonero – and it was a mighty fine meaty/fruity/spicy experience. We shall certainly be popping back there to smaple the other 31 burgers soon.
Anyway, onto Gordon...
Mr Banks. I know you've probably talked about '66 for a massive percentage of every day of your life since 30 July 1966. But, we're excited, so can you talk us through what happened before the game? Did you manage to get any sleep the night before?
We stayed at the same hotel we always did and tried to do the same things we always did for internationals. Before the final, five of us decided to go for a stroll into Hendon to the shops, it was 5-10mins away so it was just the job, but the doorman said we had better not as there were fans outside waiting for us. Anyway, he let us out the back but as soon as we got to town we were mobbed so we had to come back. We geniunely weren't expecting so much attention.
What did you have to eat before the big game?
We could have either fish or steak. I had the steak. Just the meat on its own, no vegetables or anything like that. And if you were still hungry, you had some rice pudding. A lot of the lads were nervous though, so not a lot of steak or pudding got ate that day...
Who was the most nervous?
All the lads were on a par with each other I think. You just went about your job, but I think we were all feeling it in our stomachs inside. When we went out and got on the bus there was a huge crowd, ten times the size of the usual crowd. They were all clapping and shouting "All the best!" and all this sort of thing, which was really nice. Then as the bus was coming out of Hendon, there was a fire station and they were all stood outisde banging jerry cans. It was marvellous! Normally on the bus there was a couple of card schools going, but everybody, and I mean everybody, was looking at the crowds outside the windows.
What was it like arriving at Wembley?
Wembley Way was brilliant. There were our fans and the Germans all cheering, as you couldn't tell which team bus it was until we got close. When we eventually arrived in the stadium, you just tried to do what you would normally do for an international. In other words, put your stuff in the dressing room and go out onto the pitch to see whether you had to change your studs or not.
Alf wanted us to just walk around where we would be playing. Then we'd all gathered back in the changing room, all the lads, and we knew what the team was going to be from the night before. But even the players who were in the squad and hadn't played a game, came round shaking everyone else's hand and wishing them well. And it was meant, you could tell. And that meant something for all of us.
Who was the big motivator? Did Bobby Moore make a speech prior to the match?
No, no, no. Only Alf. There were no big motivators, we all just listened carefully to what Alf said. Then I had a cold shower before I put my stuff on. Then I was ready.
What was the most memorable part of the day for you, Gordon?
In the tunnel walking out onto Wembley and feeling the buzz of the crowd. I couldn't believe it was me about to walk out at Wembley and play in a World Cup Final.
The second most memorable moment was the elation of the final whistle. The pressure on all of us was lifted. We had won.
How did you feel when Germany got their equaliser?
Gutted. All of us were absolutely gutted. The final whistle went just as we kicked off, as you know, so that made it that little bit worse. So we all walked to the halfway line – the German team on one side and us on the other – and they were all sat down on the floor. So was Bobby Moore. The first thing Alf did was tell Bobby Moore to get up. "We don't want to look tired like they look tired", he said. Then he said: "I'm only gonna say one thing: You've won that World cup once, now you've got to go out there and you've got to do it again." And that was all he said to us.
A man of few words.
Sir Alf was absolutely magnificent. A fantastic man.
After the game did you consume a few ales, and if so where did you go?
It was weird actually. We had this reception for the two semi-finalists and the two finalists, organised by FIFA, in the hotel that we were staying at, but the wives weren't invited, so they had to stay in the rooms waiting for us. Anyway, when it finished we said we'll meet upstairs and we'll go on from there. So I got the wife, got the lift to the top and only George Cohen and Ray Wilson were there! We waited, having a good drink for an hour or so, and no-one else arrived. All the lads had gone out in tiny little groups. Goodness knows why, but that's how it happened. It was still a smashing night though. It didn't matter what we did really.
Still, a bit of a shame. What did wife think about the whole thing, her being German and all. Be honest, did she have the hump a little bit?
No, not at all. She was supporting me and England. She was great.
Do you still get stopped in the street?
Yes, all the time. Poeple just want to shake my hand and say hello. It still surprises me.
What do people want to talk about: 1966 or that save from Pele in 1970?
The save more often than not. What with the internet now, kids put my name in and watch the save and want to talk about it. The internet's made it impossible to forget.
Who's the best player you've ever played with?
I think that has to be Bobby Moore. Absolutely magical at reading the game. He knew exactly how everything was going to pan out. Unflappable and never wasted a ball. He didn't just play easy square balls either. He'd play balls up to the font and start attacks.
What about the best player you played against?
It has to be Pele. A lot of people weren't around when Pele played at his best. Believe me, this guy was far above Maradona. He could do everything that you wanted form a footballer. Head, shoot, dribble, pass. He could do everything. I'd played against great players like Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, Jimmy Greaves, Eusebio - but they were only strong in a couple of the disciplines I just mentioned. Pele could do them all.
Let's quickly talk about 2010. Do English players care as much as they used to?
I couldn't realy answer that. I do get disappointed when Wayne Rooney doesn't sing the national anthem though.
Are the three 2010 goalkeepers the worst selection we've ever had at a major tournament?
Yes, I think so, but only because Mr Capello hasn't had a great bunch to pick from. Our foreign maangers rarely promote English goalkeeping talent from thier academies. They look abroad if they need to make replacements. Course, then our keepers don't get any experience of the Premier League, which they so desperately need to force their way into their club team and the national side. It's a vicious circle.
Are we going to win the 2010 World Cup?
We're not going there for a holiday, we're going there to win it. They know what it means to the people of England. I wish them all the best.
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World Cup Legend Gordon Banks was at the launch of gourmet burger kitchen’s World Cup menu. Gbk has been re-branded Gordon Banks’ Kitchen for the duration of the tournament. For more information, visit www.gbk.co.uk.”
The ‘awesome food of the World Cup menu’ will offer massive ‘buy one get one free’ savings on over 30 known and loved burgers and salads. Each team in the tournament has been allocated a signature gbk dish - with England becoming the ‘Cheese’ 100% Aberdeen Angus burger - and all will be available at buy one get one free while the team is still competing in the World Cup. As each country is knocked out of the tournament its team gbk burger will too pay the penalty as it is removed from the offer, until the ultimate winner is decided on Sunday 11 July.
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