Gordon Banks won the World Cup with England in 1966, but the most memorable moment of the goalkeeper's career came four years later in Mexico.

7^th June, 1970. At Estadio Jalisco in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, World Cup holders England were finding themselves under enormous pressure in the first half of their group match against a Brazil side regarded as the greatest in World Cup history.

Advancing with the ball from the right back position, Brazil captain Carlos Alberto sprayed a low pass over the half way line into the path of Jairzinho. With remarkable poise and balance, the Brazil winger sped past England left back Terry Cooper at full throttle and dug out a looping cross to the far post, where Pele had timed his run to perfection.

The Brazil legend leapt above English right back Tommy Wright and met the ball with a thumping downward header. The ball bounced off the turf towards the bottom corner of the net, but as Pele wheeled away in celebration, Banks' pulled off the most remarkable of saves. The England keeper was still scrambling across the goal line as Pele rose to head the ball, and his reaction was nothing short of phenomenal. Twisting his body and diving backwards in the blink of an eye, Banks somehow clawed the ball up and over the crossbar using his thumb. For a few moments, the watching world struggled to make sense of what had just happened. "Gordon Banks, pick that out of the net!" exclaimed the elated BBC commentator once the dust had settled. "The save of the World Cup," he added. But this wasn't just the save of the tournament; this was quite possibly the greatest save of all time.

It was not just the technical prowess and lightening speed of Banks' save that made it so special, however. The stage could hardly have been bigger. This was Pele, the greatest striker the world has ever seen, up against one of the world's finest keepers. What's more, England were reigning world champions, while Brazil were the finest international side of all time. It was a moment fit for such an occasion.

"It's something people will always remember me for," said Banks in 2005. "They won't remember me for winning the World Cup [in 1966], it'll be for that save," he added. Brazil went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a second half strike from Jairzinho, but England still progressed to the quarter-finals by beating Romania and Czechoslovakia in their other group games. It was in a rematch of the 1966 final against West Germany that their hopes unraveled, and it was no coincidence that England were without Banks for that quarter-final defeat due to an upset stomach. Replacement keeper Peter Bonetti had been slow to react for the German's first goal, and with the scores at 2-2 after 90 minutes, Gerd Muller's extra-time heartbreaker sent England packing. "Of all the players to lose, we had to lose him," rued England manager Alf Ramsey over his first-choice keeper. Brazil, meanwhile, went on to win their third World Cup in emphatic fashion, thrashing Italy 4-1 in the final.

Banks won 73 England caps in an international career that spanned nine years starting in 1963. From 1965 to 1972, he was indisputably England's first-choice goalkeeper. At club-level, Banks' career took off after he was signed by First Division Leicester City from Chesterfield for £7,000 in 1959. After 293 league appearances for the Foxes, he moved to Stoke City in 1967, where he stayed until 1972. He won two League Cups during his time at Leicester and Stoke, but never experienced club success to rival that of his international career.

To remember Banks for one moment alone would be a disservice to the man who is still widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever to have played the game. Banks could never match the feeling of lifting the World Cup in 1966, but at that moment on 7^th June, 1970 in the sweltering heat of Guadalajara, he couldn't have been too far off.

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Some wonderful foreign talents have graced English football over the years, but few can claim to have had more influence than Osvaldo 'Ossie' Ardiles, our Icons Legend of the Week #7.

Ardiles arrived at Tottenham Hotspur just weeks after playing a starring role in Argentina's 1978 World Cup triumph. His signing represented a significant coup for Spurs, who had just won promotion back to Division One under Keith Burkinshaw. The arrival of Ardiles, together with fellow World Cup-winner Ricky Villa, ushered in a glorious era for the North London club.

Ardiles' skill and determination made him a cult hero at White Hart Lane. No-nonsense and all-action, Ardiles was not one for the histrionics stereotypically associated with many foreign imports. Despite his slight build, Ardiles possessed great strength and determination. He became the driving force in the Spurs midfield, forming a formidable partnership in the middle of the park with Glenn Hoddle.

Between 1978 and 1988, Ardiles made well over 200 appearances for Spurs in Division One, scoring 16 goals. His first piece of silverware came in his third season, when Spurs beat Manchester City 3-2 in the 1981 FA Cup final replay having previously drawn 1-1. His countryman Villa stole the show with a phenomenal solo goal, but Ardiles had already established himself as a lynchpin in Burkinshaw's side. Off the pitch, Ardiles status as a cult hero was further enhanced when Spurs released "Ossie's Dream" in collaboration with Chas & Dave during that year's FA Cup campaign. 

Spurs retained the FA Cup in 1982, although Ardiles missed the final against QPR. On 3^rd April, the day after the outbreak of the Falkland's War, Ardiles helped his side to a 2-0 semi-final victory over Leicester City at Villa Park. Three days later, however, he left for Argentina, having already agreed to return early for their World Cup preparations. As the conflict raged in the Falkland's, his career in England was thrown into jeopardy. He was eventually able to return in December, but in the wake of the trouble, Ardiles was immediately loaned to Paris Saint-Germain in France.

Ardiles returned to England at the end of 1982/83 season, and featured as Spurs won the UEFA Cup in 1984 with victory of Belgian side Anderlecht. He eventually left Spurs in 1987 and in 1989 he began a career as a manager that would take him all over the world, including a season back at Spurs in 1993/94.

Ardiles won 63 caps for Argentina, scoring eight goals. At White Hart Lane he remains a legend, and he has been inducted into the Spurs Hall of Fame. One of the first foreign players to make a successful impact in England, Ossie set high standards for those who would follow. 

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Investing in celebrity autographs is safer than stocks or savings, the Sun reported yesterday. The value of Sir Paul McCartney's signature has risen from £125 ten years ago to £1500 today.

Stamp specialists Stanley Gibbons, who were behind the index, said: "People see autographs as something tangible."

Read the full story here.

If you want to invest in football memorabilia, then we suggest our England 1966 replica shirt, signed by ten of the winning team, including the late Alan Ball. Stocks are dwindling and for obvious reasons will never be replaced.