Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland wears special sponsor-free kit as he pays tribute to Gordon Banks 

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland wore a special memorial kit against Aston Villa as he paid tribute to England legend Gordon Banks.

Banks, part of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966, died at the age of 81 on February 12.

The goalkeeper was an iconic figure at Stoke, for whom he played between 1967 and 1973 before becoming the club’s president in 2000.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland wore a special kit to pay tribute to Gordon Banks

Butland who frequently spoke to Banks since joining Stoke in 2013, wore a green shirt with no sponsor or crest, which was modelled on the shirt that Banks wore for the club.

A message was sewn in the bottom corner that read: ‘Gordon Banks, RIP, 30/12/1937-12/02/2019.’

Following Banks’ death, Butland tweeted: ‘A legend to all goalkeepers, an icon to our game, but most of all an incredibly humble and passionate gentleman.

Butland wore the kit, which didn’t have a sponsor, and laid a wreath in his goalmouth

The shirt that Butland wore was based on the one that Banks sported for Stoke

‘It’s been an honour to get to know such a great man over the last few years and spend time with his family.

‘Listening to his stories and being in his presence will be memories I’ll cherish forever.’

In addition to wearing the special shirt, which had just the No 1 on the back without a name, Butland also laid a wreath in his goalmouth prior to the game. 

Banks’ funeral will take place at Stoke Minster on March 4.