England World Cup winner George Eastham dies aged 88 as tributes flood in to Stoke City legend who changed game forever

ENGLAND World Cup winner George Eastham has died at the age of 88, as tributes flood in.

His former club Stoke City paid tribute to the footballing legend, who was part of England's 1966 winning squad.

Midfielder and inside forward George played for Newcastle United, Arsenal and Stoke City in the English top-flight league in a professional career spanning two decades, and earned 19 international caps.

He is also remembered for a three-week trial at High Court which changed football's old "retain and transfer" system forever.

The club's message read: "The Stoke City Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham OBE at the age of 88.

"George was signed by the Potters for a £35,000 fee shortly after being part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad.

"He went on to represent the club for eight seasons in the top division of the English game and was a two-time FA Cup semi-finalist in red and white.

"He is perhaps best remembered as the man whose goal secured the 1972 League Cup in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

"The Potters will wear black armbands for the fixture against Sheffield Wednesday (on Saturday) as a mark of respect.

"Our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time."

George made 194 league appearances for Stoke over eight seasons, and went on to manage the club between 1977-78.

After his contract at Newcastle expired in 1959, he went on strike for eight months to force the club to let him join Arsenal - as the system at that time allowed clubs to keep a player's registration as a means to force them to stay.

He later sat in the High Court for a three-week trial against Newcastle and the Football Association.

The judge found the old transfer system to be unreasonable, leading to major reforms in the British transfer market and the establishment of a tribunal to deal with disputes.