- Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke City.
- He was involved in a landmark 1963 case that improved player freedom of movement.
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George Eastham, a member of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup, has died at the age of 88.
The Blackpool-born winger did not play in his country’s only major tournament victory but was part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s team that triumphed at home 58 years ago.
Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke City. He had a far-reaching impact off the field, helping to improve the freedom of players to move between clubs during a landmark 1963 court case in which he was involved.
An FA statement on Saturday morning said: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of George Eastham OBE at the age of 88. George won 19 caps in his Three Lions career and was a member of our championship-winning team. 1966 World Cup. team.
“Our deepest condolences to George’s family and friends.”
After making his breakthrough as a youngster with Ards in Northern Ireland, Eastham made 124 and 207 league appearances for Newcastle and Arsenal respectively before moving to the Potteries.
George Eastham, a member of the English team that won the 1966 World Cup, has died at the age of 88.
Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke City. Pictured: Eastham during his time in north London with the Gunners.
The winger (second from left) was part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad for the 1966 World Cup, but did not take part in the tournament.
There, Eastham played 194 league games and was awarded an OBE for his services to football shortly before retiring in 1974.
“The Stoke City Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88,” his former club said in announcing his death on their official website.
‘George was signed by the Potters for a fee of £35,000 shortly after being part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team.
He went on to represent the club for eight seasons in the top division of English football and was twice an FA Cup semi-finalist in the red and white shirt.
“He is perhaps best remembered as the man whose goal clinched the 1972 League Cup in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
‘The Potters will wear black armbands for the game against Sheffield Wednesday (on Saturday) as a show of respect.
“Our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Eastham went on to be appointed assistant to Tony Waddington before becoming manager of Stoke between March 1977 and January 1978. He would later emigrate to South Africa, where he coached football and became a staunch opponent of apartheid.
