World Cup-Winning England international Eastham Dies Aged 88

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Posted on 12/20/2024 10:23:30 PM PST by nickcarraway

George Eastham, a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has died at 88, his former club Stoke City said on Friday.

SNIP

Known for his lethal left foot and creativity, Eastham is a legend at Stoke, famously scoring the winner in the 1972 League Cup final, helping the club win their first major trophy in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

The Blackpool-born player is also remembered for his crusade against the old 'retain and transfer' system which allowed a club to keep a player's registration as a means to force them to stay. When Eastham's contract with Newcastle expired in 1959, he went on a strike for eight months to force the club to let him join Arsenal.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...

For those of you in Rio Linda, in addition to winning the World Cup (It's Coming Home), this guy is sort of the Curt Flood of British footie.

1 posted on 12/20/2024 10:23:30 PM PST by nickcarraway

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