Gordon Banks: Continental gold 1966 World Cup Winners medal

Gordon Banks: Continental gold 1966 World Cup Winners medal, the obverse inscribed FIFA, the reverse inscribed WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP JULES RIMET CUP IN ENGLAND 1966, in original fitted case

England started the 1966 competition as one of the favorites, due partly to the fact that the tournament was held on home soil, and began their group qualifying games with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay. In the two remaining group qualifying matches England defeated Mexico and France 2-0 in both games. In the quarter-final match against Argentina Geoff Hurst scored the only goal of an explosive match thirteen minutes from the end. England's opponents in the semi-final were Portugal who had the wonderfully gifted Eusebio in their side. In a very entertaining match, England were worthy 2-1 winners.

In the final, played on 30th July 1966 before a crowd of just under 100,000, Haller scored for West Germany in the thirteenth minute, but six minutes later Geoff Hurst scored his country's equaliser. For the best part of the next hour, neither side dominated the match but with twelve minutes remaining Hurst had an optimistic shot at goal which spun up in the air for Martin Peters to knock it home for what would appear to have been the winning goal. However, with seconds remaining, a hotly disputed free-kick from West Germany found its way across the England goal and Weber knocked the ball into the net for a dramatic equaliser which took the match into extra-time.

After ten minutes of extra-time, England scored their third, and without doubt, the most controversial goal that has featured in any football match. Alan Ball chased a long ball towards the corner flag and pulled it back for Hurst, who shot from the edge of the six-yard box with the ball crashing against the underside of the bar. The ball bounced down and then upwards and out of the goal area. Roger Hunt could possibly have knocked the ball in the net, but he turned away raising his hands in jubilation, convinced that the ball had crossed the line. The ball was then cleared for a corner without a 'goal' being given and the Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst ran over to consult the Soviet linesman, Tofik Bakhramov who awarded the goal. This goal is still argued about today and film evidence of the match is totally inconclusive. However, in the last minute, the match was finally settled when England's captain, Bobby Moore, found Geoff Hurst in the centre circle with a long pass. Hurst then set off on one of his long runs and with the immortal words of match commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme 'and there are some people on the pitch. They think it is all over....it is now!' ringing in the nations ears, Hurst smashed the ball into the net for his side's fourth and his hat-trick

Provenance: Christie's Football Memorabilia, The Gordon Banks Collection, 23rd March 2001, Lot 90