Cannock kids who scored against goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks

The passing of the legendary England World Cup goalie has brought back a childhood memory for Richard of a personal goal never to be forgotten.

It happened in the summer of 1972 when Richard and his pal Adrian Camp were invited to the house of another Cannock friend, Jamie Rowley.

"Jamie’s father John Rowley ran a family business, Cannock Gates, and had thought it an idea to branch out into other products, one of which was the Gordon Banks Junior Goalposts," said Richard.

Banks was paid £2,000 to endorse the product and come along to a promotional photoshoot, which was how Richard, Adrian, and Jamie, pupils at the same junior school, became involved.

"Adrian and I were asked along ‘to meet Gordon Banks’ so we all turned up in our Bri-Nylon tops and nylon shorts. Invited into the dining room of the house in Hollies Avenue, there he was, seated at John’s desk, tucking into a ham salad, wearing his dark blazer.

"He paused and smiled at us asking, 'Are you lads ready to score a goal through me?' Too embarrassed, none of us replied, we just looked speechlessly on, tongue-tied. Those gathered in the room laughed, we were red-faced. At some point we were given a pair of special Gordon Banks football boots – red leather, white moulded base and laces and his signature on the side. Wow! In Stoke City’s colours!

"I had brought a poster of Gordon Banks with me, having taken it down off my bedroom wall in case I could sneak an autograph, although the right moment never seemed to happen."

After a while they were coaxed into the back garden and a net bag of white footballs was brought out, and Banks reappeared, this time in a faded pale green goalie's practice top.

"Only Jamie wore his red Gordon Banks boots. Adrian kept his black Puma boots on and I wore my white ‘poor man’s Adidas’ four-striped Tuf boots, not wanting to ruin the newly-donated red boots. Jamie looked a little like Dorothy in the film the Wizard of Oz.

"In the rear garden there were a couple of sets of training goalposts. One was as tall as me, the other was lower, designed for five-a-side games.

"As the photographer moved around we had footballs thrown at us and we savoured the moments – kicking balls to each other and occasionally towards Gordon Banks. He was brilliant, encouraging us to hit the ball harder and harder; 'try for the bottom left corner' and similar exhortations.

"There are two memories from those few minutes. Firstly, the sun was hot so we quickly began to sweat. Secondly, the photoshoot over, someone shouted 'Shoot!' So we did, all three of us. One was saved and two went in, including my shot. I shouted 'I’ve scored through Gordon Banks!'

"He responded good-humouredly, 'Well all three of you shot at the same time,' but all weekend and the next week at school we recounted the story to everyone that would listen.

"The poster on my wall remained rolled up in my room for a few days, until I eventually decided to unfurl it to put it back. As I did so I noticed a black scrawl and read the words above the scrawl… ‘Best Wishes Richard from…’ then realised the scrawl was in fact Gordon Banks' signature!

"A few weeks later a set of Gordon Banks Junior Goalposts appeared in my back garden. I got my money’s worth, much to my father’s frustration every Sunday after his roast lunch."

Richard still has his red Gordon Banks boots. And no, they don't fit now.