December 21st 2024.
George Eastham, a skilled and influential member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has passed away at the age of 88. Although he did not play in the historic final, Eastham's contribution to the team and the sport of football was immense.
Born in Blackpool, Eastham spent the majority of his career at top clubs such as Newcastle, Arsenal, and Stoke. He also left a lasting impact on the game as he fought against the unfair "slavery contracts" that restricted players from moving between clubs. His involvement in a court case in 1963 ultimately led to reforms in the British transfer market.
The Stoke City Football Club, where Eastham spent eight seasons, expressed their deep sadness at his passing. He was signed by the Potters for a then-record fee of £35,000 shortly after being part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad. During his time at the club, he made 19 appearances for his country and was a two-time FA Cup semi-finalist.
Eastham's iconic moment in Stoke's history was his goal in the 1972 League Cup final, which secured a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley. The club will honor him by wearing black armbands in their next match against Sheffield Wednesday.
George's father, also named George, was also a footballer who played for England. George Jr. would go on to earn 19 caps for his country between 1963 and 1966. After his playing career, he was awarded an OBE for his contributions to football and even served as an assistant and manager for Stoke.
Following his retirement, Eastham moved to South Africa where he became a coach for young black children. He was also a vocal opponent of apartheid, the discriminatory system that was in place in the country at the time.
George Eastham may have left us, but his legacy as a talented player, a trailblazer for player rights, and a humanitarian will live on forever. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
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