WORLD Cup winner Gordon Banks has been made an honorary doctor of Staffordshire University.

The former Stoke City shot-stopper collected the "tremendous honour" at a ceremony at the Trentham Estate yesterday, as part of the university's graduation week.

Gordon was singled out for the award, the university's highest honour, for being a source of inspiration to footballers worldwide and also for being both a local and national ambassador.

"I received a similar award from Keele University three years ago so it is very nice to have been recognised by both of the local universities and I am very proud.

"When I played football I never took part to receive awards outside of the sport, I played for the love of the game. I've been fortunate with my career and I've got some great memories, such as playing in a World Cup final, and just hearing the roar of the crowd each time you ran out of the tunnel.

"All of the young people collecting their degrees here today have great futures ahead of them and I would say the key to success is hard work.

"When I signed as a professional I would stay behind after training and just get people to hit shots at me.

"All of these students have worked hard to get to where they are now and if they continue to work hard I am sure they will have every success in life."

Gordon's career started off at Chesterfield in 1955 before moving to Stoke in 1967 from Leicester for £52,000.

He went on to play 194 games for the Potters and helped Stoke win the League Cup in 1972.

Gordon played 73 times for England between 1963 and 1972 and is still recognised today as one of the greatest goalkeepers the world has ever seen.

He is also known for his world-famous save in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, when he dived full length to save a seemingly unstoppable header from Brazilian ace Pele.

In 2002 he became Honorary President of Stoke City following the death of Sir Stanley Matthews.

Nigel Thomas, head of the sport and exercise department at the university, nominated Gordon for the award.

He said: "We thought Gordon was the ideal candidate to receive the award because of his contribution not only to sport and football, but to Stoke-on-Trent and raising the profile of the city.

"It's fantastic to have him here and we hope this award will be up there with the ones he received in his football career."

Other people made honorary doctors of the university at yesterday's ceremony included TV personality Esther Rantzen and broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell.

Potteries entertainer Jonathan Wilkes will become an honorary doctor of the university tomorrow, followed by Stoke City boss Tony Pulis on Friday.

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