George Eastham: Memorial service held for Stoke City legend
Following the service, which was organised by the Stoke City Old Boys Association, people gathered in the Stanley Matthews Lounge at the Bet365 Stadium.Terry Conroy, who scored The Potters' other goal in the 1972 final, told BBC Radio Stoke: "I was absolutely thrilled with how that service went. It had everything."He said the fans' memories of Eastham was an example of a "special bond" between players and supporters."It's reminding people of the history and heritage of the club – it's so rich," he added.
Conroy said Eastham would be missed, describing him as a "nice and gentle man"."He never offended anybody and he was nice to be around," he said.Denis Smith, who was also a part of the 1972 League Cup-winning side, said Eastham was an "incredible" player."The fellow was an exceptional footballer. He had a brain which was way ahead of his time," he said.
Smith also spoke of Eastham's involvement in a landmark 1963 court case that improved players' freedom to move between clubs and reformed the transfer market."When you look at his history and what he did for professional footballers, every footballer now should be bowing down to George Eastham," he said."Absolutely incredible the man was, from the beginning to the end."
Ex-Stoke player Mark Stein said Eastham was "part of the Stoke folklore", adding that he "set the standard" for the game's future."That [1972] team was one of the legendary teams of the Stoke generation," he added.Under Alf Ramsey, Eastham made 19 appearances for England between 1963 and 1966, scoring twice. He was eventually awarded a World Cup winners medal in 2009 following a campaign to reward all members of the squad.Eastham was awarded an OBE for services to football in 1973, a year before he retired, and was Stoke's manager from March 1977 to January 1978.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final
But a new star is forming among the Lioness ranks WINNING TOONE History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELLA TOONE has become the woman for the grandest of stages — and is ready to deliver for England again. The Lionesses star has scored at every World Cup or Euros she has taken part in. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Ella Toone is ready for England to deliver the trophy in the Euro 2025 final Credit: Reuters Her goal in the 2023 World Cup last-four clash against Australia saw her become the first English player — male or female — to net in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major tournaments. One of those goals came in the Spain last-eight tie at the Euros three years ago — and she wants to repeat that trick in Sunday's final. Toone, 25, also netted in the Finalissima against Brazil — where the European and South American champions face off — and scored an FA Cup final stunner for her club Manchester United last year. She has bagged in this Euros as well, in the 6-1 win over Wales in the group stage. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS NOU START Marcus Rashford back with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi as she joins him in Barcelona Asked about her big-stage pedigree, Toone said: 'It's not bad that, is it? 'I feel like I prepare properly for every game and I've had chances in the finals to put the ball in the back of the net and that's what I've done. 'I try not to think too much about that or put any pressure on it. 'I just go out there and do what I can for the team and give my everything, and if a chance falls to me then hopefully I can put it in the back of the net. 5 Toone was used to starring from the bench when the Lionesses last won the Euros Credit: Shutterstock Editorial SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 'It's just about doing my job, on and off the ball, making things happen, creating chances for other people and hopefully there's a chance, like I have in previous finals.' Three years ago, as the Lionesses stormed to home Euros success, Toone was one of those making an incredible impact from the bench. Now, Arsenal star Michelle Agyemang is England's super sub. Lionesses celebrate after bonkers Euro 2025 penalty shootout win over Sweden The striker, 19, saved her side in the quarter-final with Sweden and the last-four win over Italy. Having hardly played or netted in club football last season, she has become a phenomenon on the international stage and will return home to a new level of fame. That is something Toone, now an established starter, went through in 2022 and the Northern lass had some left-field advice for Agyemang. Toone said: 'She might get papped eating a pasty like I did! I'll have to warn her about that. 'Michelle is mad, I would think that she's about 30 years old, she's so mature, she's so humble and she's come into this tournament with freedom and not a worry, not a care. 5 Michelle Agyemang has scored two late equalisers to send England to extra-time in their quarter-final and semi-final Credit: Getty 'She's just gone out there and done what's been asked of her and she's been amazing for us. She's turned up in big moments when we've needed her and she's got a lot of talent and she can do a lot of things that not many players can do. 'Even when she has scored and kept us in games, she's been the same Michelle. I'm absolutely buzzing for her.' The Lionesses have shown their mettle to come back from the brink in Switzerland. While the players have discussed their 'proper England' performances, Toone revealed there have been some incredibly motivational moments from manager Sarina Wiegman. The Dutchwoman guided a team to a final for a fifth straight tournament after winning the 2017 Euros with her native Holland and reaching the 2019 World Cup showpiece. Toone added: 'She's done a few good speeches this camp, I'll give it to her. We had a good one before the Italy game the night before, one that definitely stood out. 'Even though sometimes we have gone a goal down, you still remember the words that she said before the game and it makes you want to go out and put on a performance for the second half as well. 'No matter what Sarina says, you listen because she's reached five major tournament finals so she definitely knows what she's doing.' Wiegman has created a family bond in the Lionesses camp, though there are plenty of parents, siblings and friends here in Switzerland. 5 Sarina Wiegman became the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five international tournament finals in a row That group enjoyed a pub crawl through Zurich on Friday afternoon, away from the squad, before everyone headed off to Basel for the final. One picture of the families wildly celebrating Agyemang's goal against Italy was shared among the players. It is a scene they are intent on recreating. Toone added: 'It was a nice picture to see, we've sent them on a rollercoaster this tournament and it's nice to see things like that. 'Hopefully we can kick on in this last game and make it a tournament they can remember, too.'
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd ‘bomb squad' outcasts could STAY at club as Amorim says club won't be held to ransom over Sancho, Garnacho & Co
PRICE IS RIGHT Man Utd 'bomb squad' outcasts could STAY at club as Amorim says club won't be held to ransom over Sancho, Garnacho & Co Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUBEN AMORIM opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' as he told Prem scavengers: We won't be held to ransom. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were all left behind when Amorim and his squad flew out to Chicago for the US leg of their pre-season campaign. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Ruben Amorim opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' Credit: Getty United landed as Marcus Rashford was completing his loan move to Barcelona but Amorim warned rivals they cannot lure any of the quartet on the cheap - and that they will be reintegrated into the United fold if deals are not done. Amorim said: 'I know for a fact that the club have a number, a price, for these players. 'If other clubs don't reach that number, they will be Manchester United players, no doubts about that. 'I understand that these clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute to put in bids. READ MORE ON MAN UTD Man Utd files Amorim considers shock striker deal as bankrupt legend is given busy schedule 'But if they try, they will be on for a surprise.' He added: 'There were different reasons for the situations of these players. 'Some of them have to find a new place to have more space in the team, other players clearly show that they want a new challenge, and they want new teams. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. 4 Jadon Sancho is exploring his options after being iced out by the United hierarchy Credit: Getty Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 'But if you reach a point that they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players and I'm ready to receive them. 'If that happens and they come back to us, they will have more competition. Marcus Rashford back together with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi two years after they split as childhood sweetheart joins him in Barcelona 'But if they want to play in the World Cup this season, they need to play. 'So I'm really happy with that, because I will have more options, and if they have to fight each other to play, I'm just proud of it.' United are keen to offload the other four players to fund new signings, but Amorim insists that the price must be right. Amorim was joined by new £62.5million signing Matheus Cunha as he spoke at Soldier Field in Chicago. United have also signed Bryan Mbeumo to fill the other No.10 spot in his 3-4-2-1 system, but have yet to land a new striker. Amorim insisted that he has options in attack and would be happy going into the season with the squad he has now. He added: 'I think our club, in the moment, need to be really careful when we sign a player. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy. Because all the players that are here want to be here, and that for me is the most important thing. 'If we start the season with this squad, I am happy. We are going to suffer but that feeling of bonding is really important. The spirit is positive." 4
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Jamie McGrath reveals the truth about his Hibs glory goal as recruit jokes about Aberdeen transfer redemption
The summer addition made an impact in the Conference League after his summer switch from the Dons New Hibs hero Jamie McGrath has revealed his free kick goal was off the cuff - but it was meant. The midfielder marked his debut with the opening goal in the 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland that has given the Hibees the advantage going into Thursday's Easter Road Europa League qualifying return. McGrath scored with a near post free kick, which keeper Jonas Lossl fumbled in at his near post. Hibs manager David Gray suggested it may have been a cross but McGrath claimed he saw the keeper leaving a big gap and exploited it. McGrath confirmed: 'Yes, me and Jordan stood over the ball and we just had a brief chat, We kind of spotted the keeper cheating a little bit. "I was like, yes, I'll whip it into the near post. Worst case scenario, the keeper catches it, but best case, we obviously scored.' McGrath had joked before the game that he had to pay back his teammates because he had been part of Aberdeen 's Scottish Cup-winning squad that had cost them a guaranteed place in the group stages. The last goal he scored in Europe was also a free kick for Aberdeen against PAOK a few seasons ago. The 28-year old acknowledged: 'I had to make it up to them some way! It was obviously a nice start, nice to get my first competitive goal. 'Yes, it was a free kick (for Aberdeen) as well. It is a nice trend. Hopefully we get a free kick next week. It's obviously nice to help the boys out.' Hibs were denied a famous win by another set piece straight out of the top drawer from Midtjylland's Aral Simsir. McGrath insisted it was no thing of beauty for Hibs. He stated: 'No, I never admire it. 'You're just thinking, oh no!. 'There wasn't much we could have done about it. Maybe foul the player a bit earlier in that attack. 'It's always when you look back, you can change different things. 'The pleasing thing was how we defended the box. From the front, I thought we defended really well. The two boys up top worked their socks off and the boys that came in as well carried on the trend. I think probably a draw was a fair result. 'But yeah, they're used to being in the Champions League, so we probably would take a draw going into next week.' McGrath knows from experience that it is fine margins at this level and it could have been so different if VAR hadn't ruled out Martin Boyle's goal that would have given Hibs a 2-0 lead. 'I think overall we defended the box really well,' McGrath insisted. 'We kind of limited them to a moment of magic that obviously equalised the game. 'I think if we were a little bit tidier on transitions, we could have maybe capitalised on that a bit better, especially in the second half. Martin Boyle was very close to being onside at all. 'I didn't see it back, but he obviously was offside if VAR gave it. But, of course there's positives to be taken from tonight. We're going back to a home game next week. I think that's what we aim to do, is bring it back there. 'But, it's only halfway, we can't get too excited. We'll bring it back next week and give ourselves a chance.' There were more than 1,000 Hibs fans in the MCH Arena. McGrath admitted that they were everywhere - even in their Herning hotel. He was delighted to give them something to celebrate and wants them to play their part at Easter Road next week. The former St Mirren and Dundee United player joked: 'Yes, waking us up this morning! 'You could hear them outside the window all day. I don't know if there's much to do around here, but they've been brilliant. 'Hopefully they'll have a good night tonight and get back safe tomorrow. Like I said, Easter Road will be jammed next week. 'I'm really looking forward to it now.' McGrath wants them to make full use of it and finish off the job at Easter Road. The winners face a tie against Fredrikstrad in the third qualifying round and McGrath wants that rather than the consolation of dropping down into the Conference League. McGrath, who scored Hibs goal in Denmark, warned: 'It's only halfway, both teams feeling each other out as well. 'It's going to be a completely different game next week as well. 'We know that. We can't get too high or too low. We have to address it the same way as we addressed it this week. But we have that little edge with the home fans on our side next week.' It might look like Hibs have done the hard part in Denmark but McGrath knows from bitter experience that you need to do the business at home. He was part of the Aberdeen team who battled back to a 2-2 draw away to BK Hacken and then lost the return in a Europa League qualifier at Pittodrie. The new signing warned: 'That's the thing, Europe can switch in the flick of a switch. We know we have to address it like we have done this week. 'We know in Europe if you switch off for a minute you get punished. We're going to have to be on our A game next week to give ourselves a chance to get through.'
