England World Cup winner George Eastham has passed away at the age of 88.
Although Eastham didn’t play in England’s triumphant 1966 campaign on home turf, he was a key part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad that clinched the World Cup for the first and only time in England’s history. Born in Blackpool, Eastham spent the majority of his career playing for Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke. He also left a significant legacy as the player who fought against the so-called ‘slavery contracts’.
Eastham’s participation in a landmark 1963 court case, which enhanced players’ freedom to transfer between clubs, ultimately transformed the British transfer market. “The Stoke City Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88,” announced his former club on their official website.
“George was signed by the Potters for a £35,000 fee shortly after being part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad. He went on to represent the club for eight seasons in the top division of the English game and was a two-time FA Cup semi-finalist in red and white.
“He is perhaps best remembered as the man whose goal secured the 1972 League Cup in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley. The Potters will wear black armbands for the fixture against Sheffield Wednesday (on Saturday) as a mark of respect. Our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Eastham’s father, George Senior, also represented England, earning one cap. Between 1963 and 1966, Eastham himself would go on to win 19 caps for his country. After a stint with Ards in Northern Ireland, Eastham made significant contributions at Newcastle and Arsenal, making 124 and 207 league appearances respectively before heading to Stoke.
At Stoke, Eastham made a notable 194 league appearances and was recognised with an OBE for his services to football shortly before hanging up his boots in 1974. Following his playing career, he took up the role of assistant to Tony Waddington at Stoke, eventually stepping into the manager’s shoes between March 1977 and January 1978.
In later years, Eastham relocated to South Africa where he dedicated his time to coaching local black children in football. He also became a vocal opponent of apartheid, the system of racial segregation that was prevalent in South Africa during that period.