Football icon fighting cancer but vows to 'battle on'

Banks was lauded as a national hero after making a stunning save against Brazil's Pele at the 1970 tournament.

And he said: "If I could make a save like the one against Pele – while playing against the greatest in the world – then I will be able to battle through this health problem."

Banks, who played for seven clubs including Stoke City, added: "I have to hope for the best and carry on.

"I am one of many in the country who have it, I have to battle on.

"I regard my kidney problems as part of life, things tend to get harder to battle with.

"It's one of those things. When I saw the doctor he said I should just act as normal. I am hopeful the medication will cure it."

The former goalkeeper – who lives near Stoke with his wife Ursula, 78 – admitted his battle with cancer is "the biggest fight of my life".

But he thanked his loved ones – including daughters Wendy and Julia and son Robert – for ralling behind him.

He told the Mirror: "My family are all really supporting me through this illness."

(dailystar.co.uk)