Gordon Banks’ medal from the 1966 World Cup victory and the jersey he wore during his famous ‘Save of the Century’ in 1970 are expected to fetch an impressive sum of £500,000 at an upcoming auction. These prized items will be available for bidding during the 2026 World Cup. Described as the “holy grail” for passionate England supporters, the auctioneers anticipate each item to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000, potentially totaling over half a million pounds.
The iconic shirt worn by Peter Shilton during Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal is also among the items up for auction. Football historian Grant Bage emphasized the historical significance of these items, labeling them as essential pieces of football history and highly coveted by dedicated collectors and England fans.
Bage praised Gordon Banks as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world, highlighting the exceptional value of his 1966 World Cup medal and the revered status of his 1970 ‘Save of the Century.’ Both the medal and shirt, previously owned by Banks before his passing in 2019, will be sold by undisclosed current owners. The auction is scheduled for June 25th, positioned between England’s matches against Ghana and Panama in the World Cup.
Recent allegations suggesting Banks was poisoned by the CIA, leading to his absence in the 1970 World Cup quarter-final against West Germany, have surfaced. Bage, known for his work on legendary England manager Sir Alf Ramsey, recollected vivid memories of Banks’ performances in the 1966 and 1970 tournaments. He expressed regret at Banks’ absence in crucial matches and speculated on the potential for additional World Cup medals had Banks been present.
Banks previously sold his medal in 2001 for £124,750, citing the decision as a means to support his family rather than financial necessity. The estimated value for Shilton’s shirt is also substantial, ranging between £200,000 and £300,000.
