Brendan McCarthy

All views are my own

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Every footballer should mourn the passing of George Eastham OBE, who has passed away aged 88. Very sad news and thoughts with Eastham’s family and friends. Eastham’s legacy is huge as player, campaigner and reformer. He is one of the most important figures in English footballing history. Eastham had a magnificent career, playing for Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke, and being in England’s 66 squad (receiving his winner’s medal only in 2009 after a campaign to get non-playing members of the squad recognised).
Wonderful left foot, creative and with an eye for goal, Eastham was a class act in midfield or an inside-forward and represented England 19 times.

His influence in football was/still is even greater than those fine achievements. His determination to leave Newcastle for Arsenal in 1959 was delayed by the arcane “retain and transfer” system. Players were treated almost as serfs, poorly paid and unable to decide their future employment as clubs retained their registration after their contract expired. Eastham went on strike before Newcastle finally allowed him to leave for Arsenal in 1960 for £47,500. He was barracked on his return to St James’ Park but provided the perfect riposte with a goal and two assists. Fabulous footballer.

And campaigner. Having got to Highbury, Eastham then went to the High Court and struck a blow for all players by getting major changes to “retain and transfer” in 1964. Backed by @PFA who contributed to his substantial legal fees, Eastham’s success transformed players’ careers and livelihoods. He brought in a fairer transfer system and strengthened players’ rights. He was the English Bosman. And he carried on shining on the field, bringing experience to a Stoke side full of youth. Scored the winner in the 71/72 League Cup final - at 35. He moved to South Africa where he coached young players and stood up to apartheid. I was fortunate to meet him once at an FA event and he was totally absorbing company. George Eastham OBE lived a full and varied life and English football will forever be in his debt. RIP.

[Brendan McCarthy @Bmacc9Mac]

@Crofty1__ Can you follow me back please and I’ll dm you. Thanks.

[The Away Fans @theawayfans]

Charlton fans in Hartlepool for their EFL Trophy quarter final. Huge respect making the 500 mile 10 hour round trip for a Tuesday Night game. 👏 #CAFC

[SG PATHWAY ACADEMY TV @SgpathwayTV]

Post Match Interview with Neil Tooth https://t.co/ubLwazVx8Z

[Chris Dunn @dunnylawyer]

#DeanSmith thanks for giving us our Villa back. 10 in a row after the team he inherited and promotion will do me. #UTV

[Alex Males @footballlover63]

#AVFC ⚽️

Great Memories!💜🦁⭐️

Highbury 2nd May 1981✅👍

[Brendan McCarthy @Bmacc9Mac]

@paul_wood8 Fair play mate. Draw a fair result. We certainly didn’t deserve to win but when you’re 1-0 up in the 94th minute you’ve got to hold on 🙈🙈

[Paget Rangers Archive @ArchivePaget]

On this day 25 years ago @PagetRangers lost 2-0 away @officialKLtown in a feisty pre-Christmas game.

At the time Paget were top of the Southern League Midland Division (then step 3), their highest ever league position.

[Fussball Geekz @fussballgeekz]

That Peter Withe moment...@HolteendHorizon @HolteEnders1874 @AVFCOfficial @Astonvillaandy @astonvilla @AstonVillaFC @Astonvillalife @AETshirts @astonvillafr @AstonVillaMail @astonvilla_view #AstonVilla @AstonVillaFans @AstonVillaFans_ @AstonVilla_USA @villafanscentre @AVFCArabia

[Paget Rangers Archive @ArchivePaget]

On this day 26 years ago Paget Rangers won 2-0 away at Barwell.

The Bears would go on to win the inaugural Midland Alliance title and gain promotion to the Southern League.

[Fergal O'Brien Racing @FOBRacing]

Billy The Squid will be ‘doing his own thing’ @CheltenhamRaces tomorrow

#SquidArmy #ASAW 🦑

[Mantonio @Mantopike]

I’m being serious now @grantshapps please look at the travel corridors. 2021 is the year, I’ve dusted the passport off and I’m ready with 1000s of Villa. Munich, Madrid, Dortmund, Barcelona. We’re landing 😂🍺😂🍺#EuropaLeague #ChampionsLeague

[Neil Tooth @Toothy1575]

Come on you good people of Sutton Coldfield your local non league team needs you 👍🏻

With no pro football on at the moment why not get down to Coles Lane and watch some good honest non league football and help our club survive 💙⚽️👍🏻

#WENEEDYOU

[Fergal O'Brien Racing @FOBRacing]

Who’s in the #SquidArmy?

🦑

[Chris Dunn @dunnylawyer]

Morning #AVFC Twitter. Relaxing dog walk in Cornwall ruined as still fuming about @JackGrealish and #southgate . Stanley livid as you can see #UTV

[Reece 🦁 @Reece_AV]

“Aston Villa the last team to win the European Cup at the first attempt”. Nice bit of commentary in the Atalanta game 😉 #AVFC

[beIN SPORTS @beINSPORTS_EN]

NIcky Summerbee rips into Granit Xhaka for the part he played in Mateo Kovacic's red card.

#FACupFinal #ARSCHE

[Neil Tooth @Toothy1575]

@stevehinks3 Not enough words to describe how important this man is 💙⚽️

[THE LATHUMS @TheLathums]

See you there x