A former legendary midfielder for England, George Eastham, who played in the 1966 World Cup-winning squad for the country, has passed away at age 88.
The former midfielder’s passing was made known by Stoke City on Friday, saying it was “immensely saddened” to lose a “club legend.” The cause of his death was not included in their announcement.
George, who followed in the steps of his father, George Eastham Senior, the midfielder, has 19 appearances for his home country, while the last of the games were played before the 1966 World Cup.
Eastham was not featured in the tournament itself, but he made it to the squad as the only Arsenal star in the ultimately successful England squad.
Luck shined on him in 2007 when FIFA reached a conclusion that medals should be given retrospectively to non-playing squad members of previous finals, which made him get a World Cup winner’s medal.
The player in his lifetime joined Stoke City shortly after the end of the 1966 World Cup and played eight seasons with them, including loan spells elsewhere.
He started his professional career in Northern Ireland for Ards, where his father, who played as a forward for Bolton and Blackpool, was the player-coach.
Eastham was signed by Newcastle United in 1956; he joined Arsenal in 1969 and then played for Stoke City in 1966.
He was also popular for his role that put a stop to “slavery rule,” by which a club could choose not to let a player transfer even if his contract had expired.
Newcastle United refused to allow him to join Arsenal. His campaign saw the retain-and-transfer regulations changed in favor of players. He ended his professional football career in South Africa, where he was also a coach.
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