Stoke City: Ryan Shawcross in for England long haul, says legend Gordon Banks
STOKE and England legend Gordon Banks believes Ryan Shawcross has a long-term England future, even if he doesn't win his first cap tomorrow.
World-Cup winning goalkeeper Banks, who is also Stoke City's club president, is delighted the 25-year-old defender has been called up to Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup qualifiers at home to San Marino tomorrow, and away to Poland next Tuesday.
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LONG HAUL: Gordon Banks says Ryan Shawcross can cement his place in the England squad for the future.
Banks is one of only 22 players to have been picked for England while at Stoke City.
He's hoping Stoke captain Shawcross, below, will become number 23 tomorrow.
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He said: "Ryan has done really well. I don't know what the manager has in mind, but he might play him because San Marino are a side that England ought to beat.
"That doesn't mean he will take a lot of chances, but he could give Ryan the experience while using more experienced England players around him.
"But if he doesn't play, I don't think it matters too much because I think he has a good chance of staying in the squad.
"Ryan's performing very well for Stoke and I can't see many others playing better."
If he plays, Shawcross would become the first Stoke player to win an England cap since Mark Chamberlain was picked for a World Cup qualifier against Finland at Wembley in October 1984.
Banks says an England cap for Shawcross would show the progress Stoke have made since chairman Peter Coates and manager Tony Pulis returned to lead the club six years ago.
Banks added: "It would be terrific to have a Stoke player playing for England again. It would show how far the club has come in these last few years.
"Ryan's call-up is terrific for him and the club.
"You can see the progress we have made with signing players like Charlie Adam.
"I will know how Ryan feels if he gets that first cap. He will be so proud and I am sure he will love every minute of it.
"It's not easy to get picked for England and, once you get in, it's not easy to stay there.
"For example, in my day, Denis Smith was unlucky not to be picked by England. He was such a strong player and so consistent, but there were a lot of good players around."
Banks was at the official opening of St George's Park, the new national football centre, at Burton on Tuesday.
He toured the facilities and watched Shawcross and the rest of the England players training.
He said: "Ryan seemed to be doing well. As for the national centre, I couldn't believe how big it is. The facilities are fantastic.
"Producing players still depends a lot on the youngsters because you still have to practice a lot, though."
Ryan tipped to rise to occasion: Page 42
Comments
by potterforlife
Sunday, October 14 2012, 8:56PM
“And I give my opinion that you do not support this club Soccerfoot”
by PeterPotter
Sunday, October 14 2012, 7:27PM
“Oh well that's it then, my life is ruined now I don't have potterforlife agreeing with me !
Contrary to what you think, I don't post on here for anybody to necessarily agree with what I say, i just enjoy posting the truth ,facts and MY opinion!
Plain and simple. you should try it, especially the truth and fact part”
by potterforlife
Sunday, October 14 2012, 6:36PM
“You know what Potter, I was actually with you on this post, chalk and cheese. And then you just cannot help having a go at a player who,when he was scoring with ease, was your favourite player!
Now I understand you do not want me to keep commenting on your posts, Well let me tell you, it is a pity you could not have kept your comments to the article and dismissed the chance to insult one of our players FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER! Instead, what you could do, is take an article about Walters and wish him well, and a swift return to scoring again!
That, IMO is what a Stoke SUPPORTER would do!!”
by PeterPotter
Sunday, October 14 2012, 1:52PM
“"Whether Gordon Banks or Sir Stan was the greatest ever Stoke player is largely academic. One was a keeper, the other a winger and so it's a bit like saying is a Cox's orange pippin better than a conference pear"?
What in the world does that have to do with anything ?? Nobody mentions what position a player played or even who was better, just who , in their opinion, they thought was the greatest player for Stoke City. From what I read of certain people's comments on here, they seem to think Jon Walters is the greatest.”
by Latthink
Friday, October 12 2012, 3:55PM
“Talking of ***bie Steele, my father went to Stoke for a trial when he was a child/youth. He was a goalkeeper, or so he thought until Nobby, who was also on trial put three goals past him. It was the end of my old chaps hopes but was the beginning of a glittering career for Nobby.
Incidentally the last time I saw Neil FRANKIN was keeping a pub in Stone (Wayfairer)
I'm also sure I saw Roy Brown riding a bike in Watford in 1961, he was City's first colored player. Nice to reminisce! Anybody remember Roy!.?”
by jpj_58
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:40PM
“I would agree with Boothernender's Posting and would also
add Terry Conroy to that list. These are the players that I have seen
but I imagine Lattink and other older supporters will have seen the
first era of Matthews, Franklin, Nobby Steele and co. and may have another
opinion.”
by Potterspeil
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:30PM
“Aw bless! Everyone is playing nicely for once. A good read for a change.
How the likes of Greenhoff and Smith never made the England grade are beyond me. Huddie only got 3 caps whilst the likes of John Barnes got aplenty.
Peter Hoekstra was also an exceptional talent (although not English) and Harry Burrows, with his daisy cutters also springs to mind. Steino and Sheron are also worthy of a mention.
Many more besides?”
by PeterPotter
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:57PM
“NOONESHOME, what a good un Conroy was too !!But all those players back then, Bernard, Pejic, Marsh, Ritchie. etc etc, and something normal for back then, but unusual for these days, all were English except for Conroy!”
by NOONESHOME
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:14PM
“Good luck to Ryan,He has earned the chance to represent his country with his performances. If he had played for one of the big boys he would already be an England regular. On the greatest players, why has no-one mentioned Eddie Clamp, he he, what a star he was. There is no doubt in my mind that Denis smith is the best Stokie ever,(local lad), although i do agree with other suggestions for great Stokies,except Huddie, he was not here long enough to labelled a great. Also what about Terry conroy, he was a terrific winger.”
by boothernender
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:44PM
“For once I agree with Soccerfoot, it's a matter of opinion who is the greatest Stoke player of all time. I was to young to see Stan so I suppose you tend to go for players you have seen. Banks is without doubt one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time but it doesn't make sense to compare him with outfield players. Alan Hudson is the best midfield player I have ever seen, not just at Stoke but anywhere. For one season Mark Chamberlain was the best winger I've ever seen, way better than John Barnes (remember him Soccerfoot). Both Hudson and Chamberlain could win a game by themselves and the buzz at the Old Vic every time the ball went to Chamberlain has never been matched. Best defender was Dennis Smith and best out and out Centre Forward was John Ritchie, my mate worked with John after he left Stoke and always addressed the great man as "Legend". Players who were just a joy to watch include Greenhoff, Steino, Bertie Biggins, Mickey Thomas, Mike Sheron, Ricardo Fuller and Georgie Berry. George was not the greatest footballer but honest as the day is long and just great fun.”