George Eastham, a celebrated member of England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup squad, has passed away at the age of 88. Although Eastham did not feature in the matches of the 1966 tournament, he was an integral part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s team that remains the only English side to have won the World Cup.
Born in Blackpool, Eastham carved out a distinguished career with Newcastle, Arsenal, and Stoke, and is also remembered for his pivotal role in challenging restrictive ‘slavery contracts’ in football. His landmark legal case in 1963 led to significant reforms in the British transfer system.
Stoke City Football Club, where Eastham became a legend, expressed their deep sorrow at his passing: “The Stoke City Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88,” read a statement on the club’s official website. The club recalled his £35,000 transfer following the World Cup victory: “George was signed by the Potters for a £35,000 fee shortly after being part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad.”
His eight-season tenure at Stoke was marked by top-flight football and memorable FA Cup runs: “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.”
Eastham’s legacy includes a decisive goal that etched his name into the annals of the club’s history: “He is perhaps best remembered as the man whose goal secured the 1972 League Cup in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.”
In honour of Eastham, Stoke players will don black armbands in their upcoming match against Sheffield Wednesday: “The Potters will wear black armbands for the fixture against Sheffield Wednesday (on Saturday) as a mark of respect.”
The club concluded with a message of condolence: “Our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Eastham’s father, George Senior, also donned the England jersey, 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, he made 124 and 207 league appearances for Newcastle and Arsenal respectively before heading to Stoke. At Stoke, Eastham made 194 league appearances and was honoured with an OBE for his contributions to football shortly before hanging up his boots in 1974.
He later took on the role of assistant to Tony Waddington, eventually becoming Stoke manager himself from March 1977 to January 1978. Eastham then moved to South Africa where he coached local black children in football.
He was also a vocal critic of apartheid, the racial segregation system prevalent in the country at that time.
