However, having just celebrated victory in the 1966 World Cup and having cemented a reputation as being one of the world's foremost goalkeepers, Gordon Banks was under pressure from upcoming youth star Peter Shilton. Shilton wanted first team football and realised that with Banks in the side this was unlikely, so he requested a transfer. However, Gillies controversially decided to sell Banks to Stoke City instead and promoted Shilton to first choice. Just a month earlier he had also accepted an offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers for star striker Derek Dougan.