Watching England's latest World Cup fixture in the Bank with Gordon Banks and a room crammed full of bankers is a surreal experience.

Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets arranged this grandiose occasion in the plush Brindley Place restaurant and were suitably rewarded with a tense occasion.

England's 1966 World Cup winner, who is an OBE these days, was treated with approbation by a cluster of white-collar workers, but even his sanguine attitude was tested to the maximum by another unconvincing England performance.

It was most undeniably a Midland occasion, with arguably Stoke City's best ever goalkeeper watching strikers rejected at Premiership level by Birmingham City (Stern John) and Aston Villa (Peter Crouch) in a city centre restaurant populated by the cream of Birmingham's business. The atmosphere was almost Bohemian.

Yet a victory over a stubborn Trinidad & Tobago side full of journeymen was greeted with as much passion and noise as you would find on a raucous Broad Street bar; the World Cup surely transcends all class and status.

A match programme was produced, as well as a regular supply of alcohol and food to ensure a match atmosphere was omnipresent throughout.

However, not one soul who witnessed this victory will come away presuming England are about to dethrone Brazil as the world champions.

Nevertheless, there was some good news. Here it is. Gordon Banks will be able to pocket some richly deserved finances in the year 2010 as this current crop of players will not be adding to England's collection of World Cups.

Of course, while Banks is not averse to waxing lyrical to the corporate world and regaling all with tales of 1966, he is adamant the nation need to hear David Beckham or John Terry spouting the same lines in the year 2046.

"I would be delighted if England won the World Cup," he said. "It would certainly take a lot of pressure off the likes of me and stop us being raked up every four years! "The current players would really enjoy it and I have to say I am surprised it has been 40 years since we last won it.

"I thought we would do it in 1970, as I still maintain we had the better of Brazil when we lost (the game which contained Banks' career-defining save from Pele).

"We played them at midday in 102F heat and everything was in their favour. People would be complaining about it nowadays. However, we played really well and matched them throughout."

Banks is comfortable fielding questions about the golden era of English football and had an appreciative audience purring after delivering lines with the aplomb of Ross Noble. However, he is no slouch when answering questions on any subject and his prediction prior to this fixture proved worryingly prophetic.

"I took the first game [against Paraguay] with a pinch of salt, as I think we'll get better and a few of the fancied teams have struggled to impress," he said.

"It was the same for us against Uruguay in 1966; people are nervous and don't want to make a mistake.

"I like Paul Robinson; he is the best goalkeeper we have had for a while," added Banks, warming to the task when questioned about England's last line of defence.

"David James was comfortable in possession without ever really looking comfortable in the position and Robinson has come in on merit and done well.

"The only question mark against England is that we don't cause defences enough problems. Defensively and in midfield, we are strong, but we need to improve in the final third."

As England toiled throughout a difficult first half, Banks retained his jocular demeanour but visibly drew a deep breath after Robinson had misjudged a cross and John headed wide at the far post.

A veritable array of opportunities went awry but Banks remained impassive whilst those around started to fret.

John Terry's goalline clearance drew a round of applause and his half-time spiel urged Beckham to deliver more of his exquisite crosses.

The arrival of Wayne Rooney couldn't breach the red wall and every missed opportunity ensured a groan that got louder as time wore on.

Crouch and Steven Gerrard ensured England deservedly won and, in the cold light of day, Trinidad and Tobago were an awfully negative team who received their just rewards for such little ambition.

"It was a good day at the office," insisted Banks. "There is nothing to choose between a lot of the teams and I can see some shocks on the horizon."

What I can't see is any of the current squad entertaining corporate guests so well in Birmingham, 40 years from now.