 Gordon Banks , England 's 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper , joined Stoke from Leicester in 1967 for £ 52 @,@ 000 . Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world , Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the First Division . However , Banks was forced to quit top @-@ level football in 1972 , after losing an eye in a road accident . 
