George Eastham, England’s 1966 World Cup Winner, Passes Away at 88

England’s 1966 World Cup Winner, George Eastham has passed on aged 88 years. Blackpool-born forward, who played 19 times for his country, was in the party that won the World Cup under Sir Alf Ramsey, although he did not figure in the competition. He was also able to be presented with a World Cup winner’s medal in 2009 alongside other squad members after a tireless fight to have everyone who formed part of the squad recognized.

But his impact was not restricted to the football pitch; Eastham was a central figure in a court case in 1963 that helped to liberalize the British football players’ transfer system. He was with Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Stoke City before the latter was his most productive period in which he scored the winner in the 1972 League Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea. His services were honored by an OBE in the same year of 1973 to football.

Stoke City who Eastham also managed from 1977 to 1978 stated they will pay their last respect to the dead star during their next match against Sheffield Wednesday, further, the club intends to pay tribute to Eastham during their Boxing Day match against Leeds United.