I'd taken a couple of 'personal days' because I really didn't want to deal with this yet. I know I'm not on the top 10,000 people affected by Gordon's passing since I never met him personally (got close once or twice, though, but never had the pleasure) and I was never in his inner circle.
I knew he was seriously ill and I knew it was only a matter of time, but it still hit me hard.
When someone dies, people tend to claim he/she was the best ever and their favourite at what they did, etc. I've seen it happen all the time with people from Pavarotti to Cruyff to Bowie to MJ, etc., but in many cases, they actually *were* the favourites of many people. It's not just a matter of 'hey, now he's dead, now I'm suddenly a fan!'
I always admired Gordon, even though I was born long before he'd retired. I watched his videos over and over, read his interviews and always had a soft spot for goalkeeping, even though I utterly lack any footballing talent whatsoever.
Most importantly, his autobiography was a massive influence on my idea to write my own. I found it absolutely fascinating how much he had to tell, and that inspired me to do the same one day (side note: to date I've penned a few drafts, but they're horrible).
There are many lovely memories associated with GB-related docos and interviews, but these two stand out: what the marvellous James Greaves said about him in his book 'The Heart of the Game' (one of my favourite books of all time) and Franz Beckenbauer's comment that there's no way he would've scored that day in León had Gordon been on goal. From the former source, I'd love to paraphrase what Greaves said Jairzinho claimed once, many years later: everybody remembers that save in Guadalajara, but what most people didn't realise is that, throughout the match, Gordon was clever enough to organise the defence so that Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, etc., would stand before impossible angles. The save he did was brilliant, but the saves he didn't have to do because he'd accurately anticipated where others would be, that was a work of genius.
Sorry it's hit you so hard. He truly was a great 'keeper and from all I've heard and read, an absolute gentleman. Glad his book inspired you to write your own.
I'm not old enough to have seen Banks play "in the flesh" but have obviously seen footage of some of his saves.
My personal favourite 'keeper (who was always nice to me in the times that I met him, although I've read reports of him being an absolute douche), and someone who has been compared to Banks (I actually think he is better!) is Andy Goram.
I was a 'keeper when I was younger, and Goram was my inspiration (even though he played for Rangers, and I support another team in Glasgow) link link
Thistle wrote:
Sorry it's hit you so hard. He truly was a great 'keeper and from all I've heard and read, an absolute gentleman. Glad his book inspired you to write your own.
I'm not old enough to have seen Banks play "in the flesh" but have obviously seen footage of some of his saves.
My personal favourite 'keeper (who was always nice to me in the times that I met him, although I've read reports of him being an absolute douche), and someone who has been compared to Banks (I actually think he is better!) is Andy Goram.
I was a 'keeper when I was younger, and Goram was my inspiration (even though he played for Rangers, and I support another team in Glasgow)
It was Pat Jennings for me. Even when Norn Iron was shit, as long as we had big Pat in nets I always felt we were in with a chance. Pat had some nice things to say about Banks on the IFA website. As many others have done, he said Banks was a gentleman, and that Pat went to see Banks play so he could learn his trade from him.
Holly2003 wrote:
It was Pat Jennings for me. Even when Norn Iron was shit, as long as we had big Pat in nets I always felt we were in with a chance. Pat had some nice things to say about Banks on the IFA website. As many others have done, he said Banks was a gentleman, and that Pat went to see Banks play so he could learn his trade from him.
I wish QZ had a like button!
Pat Jennings was shit hot as well - and he played for my "wee" team, Arsenal :)
I am just about old enough to remember actually seeing him play, I think he retired in the late 80s. Another great 'keeper, and I think he holds the record for Norn appearances.
Good shout!!
The day Zlatan was born, Frederick was either in America or in Mexico (both countries are in North America, by the way), so he missed that special occasion. He made up for it by kicking off the Magic Tour in the Kingdom (Queendom?) of Sweden, when Zlatan was still four years old.