George Eastham, a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has passed away at the age of 88, his former club Stoke City announced on Friday.

The son of England international George Eastham Senior, the midfielder and inside forward enjoyed a professional career spanning two decades. Eastham played for Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Stoke City in the English top-flight and earned 19 international caps for his country.

Renowned for his lethal left foot and exceptional creativity, Eastham is revered as a legend at Stoke City. He famously scored the decisive goal in the 1972 League Cup final, securing a 2-1 victory over Chelsea and helping Stoke clinch their first major trophy.

Over eight seasons with the club, Eastham made 194 league appearances and later managed Stoke City between 1977 and 1978.

Born in Blackpool, Eastham is also remembered as a pioneer in challenging the restrictive "retain and transfer" system. This system allowed clubs to retain a player's registration, effectively preventing them from leaving.

In 1959, when Eastham's contract with Newcastle United expired, he went on strike for eight months to force the club to release him so he could join Arsenal. His legal battle against the "retain and transfer" system culminated in a High Court ruling that deemed the practice unreasonable. This landmark case led to significant reforms in the British transfer market, including the establishment of a tribunal to resolve disputes.

In recognition of his contributions to football, Eastham was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1973.

Stoke City announced that players will wear black armbands in honour of Eastham during their Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

"The Stoke City Football Club family is deeply saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham. Our thoughts are with George's family and friends during this difficult time," the club said in a statement.

A tribute to Eastham will also take place during Stoke City's home game against Leeds United on Boxing Day.