Ron Springett obituary

14 September 2015 11:45
England goalkeeper who was a member of the 1966 World Cup squad, he spent his playing career with QPR and Sheffield WednesdayThe 33-match England goalkeeping career of Ron Springett, who has died aged 80, encompassed two World Cup finals – the first in Chile in 1962, when he played in every match up to quarter-final elimination, and the second in 1966, when he was understudy to Gordon Banks, and eventually picked up a winners’ medal.Springett made his debut for Walter Winterbottom’s England in 1959 and remained his country’s uncontested best in goal until Banks came to the fore in 1963. Banks was Springett’s deputy in Chile, where the latter played in all three group matches, against Hungary (which England lost 2-1), Argentina (a 3-1 win) and Bulgaria (0-0). In the quarter-final in Viña del Mar he was the author of a glorious point-blank save against the champions, Brazil, as he hurled himself at Amarildo to block the ball at his feet. It was a testament to his agility, courage and speed of reflex, but England lost 3-1 and went out of the competition. Continue reading......read full article

Source: TheGuardian