George Eastham, England 1966 World Cup squad member, dies aged 88
George Eastham, England 1966 World Cup squad member, dies aged 88
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George Eastham, a member of England’s World Cup-winning squad, has 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 squad that lifted the trophy for the only time in the nation’s history.
![[George Eastham is congratulated after scoring Stoke City’s second goal in the 1972 League Cup final victory over Chelsea.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/461306953c0faff80e781aafbd455661b57f9543/14_0_4062_2652/master/4062.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Blackpool-born Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke; he also left a far-reaching legacy as the man who battled against so-called “slavery contracts”. Eastham’s involvement in a 1963 court case that improved players’ freedom to move between clubs ended up reforming the British transfer market.
![[England’s reserve players watch the World Cup final in 1966, including Eastham (front, centre).]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/834955f2776d47aa4d3b318af3e86ad8f3aef8a8/0_0_4096_2731/master/4096.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
It was in the Potteries where Eastham, whose uncle Harry Eastham was also a professional footballer with Liverpool and Tranmere, claimed his only piece of club silverware, scoring the winner in the 2-1 League Cup final victory over Chelsea in 1972 to give Stoke their first major trophy.
“The Stoke City family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88,” his former club said upon announcing his death on their 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.”.
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