THE GREATEST: Goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who when playing for Stoke made a superb save against York City.

WORLD Cup winner Gordon Banks is the principal speaker at Wayne Hall's Testimonial dinner at York Racecourse on Monday night.

And the goalkeeping legend certainly gave York City fans something to talk about on a rare appearance at Bootham Crescent over 30 years ago.

He was in goal for first division Stoke City in an FA Cup third round tie when he made what many believe is the greatest ever save by a goalkeeper on the ground in the Potters' 2-0 win.

It certainly made an immediate impact on City fan Dave Baynes, of Medley Grove, Leamington Spa.

"I remember Archie Taylor, despite having two defenders on him for most of the match, running rings round the Stoke defence."

It was Taylor who forced that amazing save from Banks.

Evening Press reporter Malcolm Huntington wrote: "... then came City's best effort, after 39 minutes, and only a superb save by Gordon Banks prevented an equaliser. Archie Taylor, way out on the right wing, took the ball down field, and both Skeels and Elder hung off him, expecting the winger to go down the touchline. Instead he cut inside and then unleashed a tremendous rising cross-shot towards the far corner.

"It seemed impossible for Banks to reach it, but he showed why he is the world's No 1 goalkeeper with a great leap across goal, and fingertipped the ball over the bar. Even the York players joined in the applause."

Despite being fifth from bottom of the old fourth division, City could boast two future internationals in their attack - Ted MacDougall and Phil Boyer - but they could find now way past Banks.

Recalled Baynes: " I also remember Ted MacDougall good humouredly harassing Banksy, obstructing his clearances (it would be illegal now) and once grabbing his outstretched right foot just as he was kicking the ball clear from his hands. I think Ted tapped the loose ball towards the net but of course the ref blew for a free kick".

Both Stoke goals were scored by winger Harry Burrows, one in each half. The first was a swerving 25-yard drive and the second came when he latched onto a flick by former England international George Eastham and crashed the ball past Bob Widdowson from around the penalty dspot.

Burrows' namesake in the York side, Phil, was making his 100th appearancxe for City and hardly put a foot wrong.

There was also an early appearance for Chris Topping, then 17, in place of the suspended Barry Jackson.

But it was that Banks save which was the talk of York pubs and clubs that night.

Millions remember Banks' amazing save to deny Pele in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico but there are still thousands of Yorkies that reckon the Taylor save was nearly equal to it.

Millenium Match Facts

FA Cup third round
Saturday, January 4, 1969
York City 0, Stoke City 2 (Burrows 21, 62)
York City: Bob Widdowson, Brian Kelly, Richardson, Graham Carr, Chris Topping, Phil Burrows, Archie Taylor, Tommy Ross, Ted MacDougall, Billy Hodgson, Phil Boyer.
Sub: Tommy Spratt.
Stoke City: Gordon Banks, John Marsh, Alex Elder, Mike Bernard, Alan Bloor, Eric Skeels, George Eastham, Peter Dobing, Terry Conroy, David Herd, Harry Burrows.
Sub: Tony Allen.
Referee: S J Kayley (Preston)
Attendance: 11,129