FARNWORTH-born Tommy Banks’ short England career flourished at just the right time to make the trip to Sweden for the 1958 World Cup.
The full-back, fresh from winning the FA Cup with Wanderers, made his international debut in May 1958 against the Soviet Union.
One month later Banks played all four games at the World Cup finals, a tournament in which England failed to qualify from the group stages.
Walter Winterbottom’s were third in their group with three draws against the Soviet Union, Brazil and Austria before losing to the Soviet Union in a play-off.
Banks, who was widely regarded as having been one of England’s most impressive players in Sweden, played just one more time for his country, winning his sixth cap against Northern Ireland.
Very much a home-grown hero, Banks kicked off his football career with Wanderers in 1947 and stayed with the club until 1961.
He played a total of 255 games for the club, building a reputation as a talented no-nonsense left-back who frequently terrorised wingers.
After 14 years with his hometown club, Banks moved on to Altrincham where he made 61 appearances before retiring in 1963.
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