England’s 1966 World Cup winner George Eastham died at the age of 88.
Eastham did not play in England’s 1966 success on home soil, but the winger was part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s side that lifted the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Born in Blackpool, Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke, and left a legacy as a man who fought against the so-called ‘slave contracts’.
Eastham’s involvement in a 1963 court case that improved players’ freedom of movement between clubs ultimately reformed the British transfer market.
It was at Stoke that Eastham claimed their only club silverware, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the 1972 League Cup final to give Stoke their first major trophy.
“The family of Stoke City Football Club are deeply saddened by the death of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88,” his former club said in a statement on its official website.
“George was signed for £35,000 shortly after being part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side.
“He went on to represent the club for eight seasons in the English top division and was a two-time FA Cup semi-finalist in the red and whites.
“He is probably best remembered as the man whose goal secured the League Cup in the 1972 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley.
“The Potters will wear black armbands against Sheffield Wednesday (on Saturday) as a mark of respect.
“Our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Stoke also plan to pay tribute to Eastham at home to Leeds on Boxing Day.
Eastham’s father, George Senior, also played for England, winning one game. Eastham played 19 matches for his country between 1963 and 1966.
After playing for Ards in Northern Ireland, Eastham made 124 and 207 league appearances for Newcastle and Arsenal respectively before moving to the Potteries.
Eastham made 194 league appearances for Stoke and was awarded an OBE for services to football shortly before his retirement in 1974.
He went on to be appointed as assistant to Tony Waddington before becoming Stoke manager himself from March 1977 to January 1978.
