George Eastham, 1966 champion and apartheid critic, dies at 88
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George Eastham, a former England midfielder and a member of the 1966 World Cup-winning team, has passed away at the age of 88. Eastham, who was well-known not only for his football career but also for his social activism, died on Friday, with Stoke City Football Club, where he spent a significant portion of his career, announcing his death with a statement expressing their deep sadness. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Eastham was a key figure in English football during the 1960s. He made 19 appearances for the England national team, following in the footsteps of his father, George Eastham Sr., who was a former footballer and manager. Although Eastham was part of the 1966 World Cup squad, he did not play in the tournament, which saw England win their first-ever World Cup. Despite his lack of participation on the field, Eastham was one of the only Arsenal players included in the squad. It wasn’t until 2007 that he was awarded a World Cup winner’s medal, when FIFA retrospectively granted medals to non-playing members of winning teams.
Eastham’s club career was equally notable. After the 1966 World Cup, he joined Stoke City, where he played for eight seasons. During his time at the club, he made a lasting impact, with his most memorable achievement being scoring the winning goal in the 1972 League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. That victory marked a high point in his career, solidifying his legacy as a key figure at Stoke. In addition to his time at Stoke, Eastham also had stints at Newcastle United and Arsenal, and he spent the final years of his playing career in South Africa, where he also took on coaching roles.
Though Eastham was an accomplished footballer, he is perhaps most remembered for his role in challenging and changing football’s transfer system. In the 1960s, a practice known as the “slave rule” existed, which allowed clubs to refuse a player’s transfer even if their contract had expired. Eastham was at the center of the battle against this system, particularly when Newcastle United blocked his transfer to Arsenal. His persistence and public campaign helped bring about a major change in the rules governing player transfers, making it easier for players to move between clubs after their contracts ended. Eastham’s efforts were pivotal in shifting the power dynamic in football, allowing players more freedom and control over their careers.
In the later stages of his life, Eastham became an outspoken critic of apartheid in South Africa. Having spent time in the country as both a player and coach, he witnessed firsthand the deeply entrenched racial segregation and inequality that characterized the apartheid system. Eastham was one of the few high-profile individuals from the football world to speak out publicly against the regime, using his platform to raise awareness about the injustice faced by non-white South Africans. His stance on apartheid reflected his broader commitment to social justice, and he is remembered as someone who was not afraid to take a stand for what he believed in, both on and off the pitch.
George Eastham’s contributions to football, both in terms of his on-field achievements and his off-field activism, left a lasting impact on the sport. His efforts to challenge the transfer system helped improve the rights of players, and his courageous stance against apartheid made him an important figure in the fight for racial equality. Eastham’s legacy is one of both sporting excellence and social consciousness, and his passing marks the end of an era for both his beloved Stoke City and English football as a whole. His memory will live on, not only for his footballing skill but also for his tireless work to make the world a better, fairer place.
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