FOOTBALL legend Pele and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop

Desmond Tutu don't fly halfway around the world for just

anyone.

But on Saturday, the World Cup winner and the South African

archbishop joined more than 7,500 fans at the Britannia Stadium

to pay homage to the former England and Stoke City legend

Gordon Banks.

The centre-piece of the event was the unveiling of a statue

depicting the legendary keeper holding the Jules Rimet Trophy

in the aftermath of England's World Cup success in 1966.

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Four years after the nation's finest footballing hour, Banks

produced his individual iconic moment at the 1970 World

Cup.

England were playing tournament favourites Brazil in

Guadalajara, Mexico.

In the 11th-minute, Banks further etched his name into World

Cup folklore when he made 'that save' to deny Pele's header at

the foot of his post. Brazil went on to beat the defending

champions 1-0 on their way to winning the tournament.

Nearly 40 years have passed since that encounter, but on

Saturday their rivalry was reignited as Banks's England XI took

on Pele's Brazilian XI.

Both teams were packed with talent. Unfortunately, though,

most of it lay in the fields of acting, singing to

teeny-boppers and politics.

The adrenaline-pumped celebrities, including actor Jimmy

Nesbitt and X-Factor winner Shayne Ward, lined up alongside

ex-professionals such as former Stoke defender Mike Pejic and

ex-Southampton star Matt Le Tissier.

Pele, sporting a casual brown leather jacket, was assisted

in the dug-out by Archbishop Tutu, who was decked out in his

South African green.

Both men have achieved greatness in their lifetimes. Pele

inspired Brazil to two World Cup final successes – and also

played in the early stages of a third. The archbishop,

meanwhile, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his work as an

opponent of apartheid.

Now they were confronted with arguably their biggest ever

challenge: Trying to gel the likes of Coronation Street's

'Kevin Webster' (Michael Le Vell) and 'Anthony' (Ralf Little)

from The Royle Family into something resembling a football

team.

Banks, wearing a more conservative light grey suit, looked

closer to home for his right-hand man in the form of Stoke boss

Tony Pulis, who paraded his promotion-winning squad prior to

kick-off.

Security 'heavies' surrounded the trio of legends to protect

them from the frenzied fans in the John Smiths Stand, who

surged forward to get a glimpse of their heroes.

Even the celebrities seemed to be in awe of their management

teams and kick-off was delayed by 25 minutes as they swarmed

around Pele, Banks and Tutu to get their shirts signed.

When the match did start, the loyal Britannia crowd nailed

their flag of allegiance firmly in the Banks camp.

But it was the yellow and blue of Brazil who put England to

the sword early on and stormed into a 3-0 lead inside 10

minutes.

The likes of Jairzinho, Rivelino and Rivaldo have tormented

the Three Lions in the past. But on this day, Hollyoaks' Ricky

Whittle, Le Vell and Jade Goody's ex-boyfriend Jeff Brazier hit

the net.

Ex-City defender Pejic and public relations guru Alastair

Campbell were guilty of conceding a penalty apiece for two of

the goals.

England's best hope came in the now portly shape of former

England ace Le Tissier, who had enough magic left in his boots

to carve Pele's side open at times.

And after Le Vell cried off with a damaged calf, England

pulled a goal back when Le Tissier's 40-yard ball found

professional footballer Junior Agogo, who slid the ball

home.

Archbishop Tutu refused to panic. So much so, in fact, that

he literally danced his way back to the dressing room at

half-time.

Brazil completed a 5-1 victory in the second period with

Whittle grabbing his second to complete the rout.

The crowd erupted into chants of “Steino” late on when

former striker Mark Stein made his entrance for Banks's England

and the 'Golden One' showed his old explosive flair by creating

a few good openings.

The archbishop was suddenly sensing a dramatic England

comeback and prowled his technical area in Pulis-esque

style.

But Pele's team came out comfortable winners, with the Stoke

faithful giving their distinguished guests the traditional

send-off with their first and only rendition of Delilah.

Strong themes of community and unity ran through the event,

highlighted in the run-up to the statue unveiling ceremony.

Banks, Pele and Archbishop Tutu sat in the directors' box to

watch community groups lead a 'flags of the world'

demonstration.

They were joined by youngsters from schools, including the

Meadows and Ash Green Primary, who led a colourful celebratory

jig along with the Ziggy Youth Dance group, who hail from the

Potteries.

And the uplifting atmosphere was enhanced by singing troupe

Black Voices, who belted out classics such as Lean on Me and

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

There was also plenty going on outside the stadium to

attract families, who enjoyed a funfair and a penalty shoot-out

competition.

At the end of the day, Pele and Archbishop Tutu made their

fond farewells as they passed the Gordon Banks statue, which

will forever stay at the Brit as a permanent tribute to one of

the club's favourite sons.

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