@markrecine80@JokesWithMark@Staff_Gatehouse Yes mate not bad Flo moved out with her other half in May๐ Madge still struggling with her knees!!! You all ok in general? You still going the game?
Every footballer should mourn the passing of George Eastham OBE, who has passed away aged 88. Very sad news and thoughts with Easthamโs family and friends. Easthamโs 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 Englandโs 66 squad (receiving his winnerโs 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 โretain and transferโ 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 ยฃ47,500. He was barracked on his return to St Jamesโ 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 โretain and transferโ in 1964. Backed by @PFA who contributed to his substantial legal fees, Easthamโs success transformed playersโ careers and livelihoods. He brought in a fairer transfer system and strengthened playersโ 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.
Itโs Jimmy Greenhoffโs birthday today.
So here he is scoring on the finest playing surface in English football historyโฆ
(๐๐ฅ @forgottengoals)
Over 250 appearances in red and white, one scintillating strike against Blues and 78 years young today.
Sending birthday wishes to City legend, Jimmy Greenhoff.
Brazil looking good now but up against pretty slack opposition. 4-0!
South Koreans watching back home must be envying their kin up North right now. They would have had this game replaced by the test card & marching music and told later they won 5-4.
#BRAKOR
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people. ~ Howard Zinn
We stand by the people of Ukraine at this particularly harrowing time as we will stand for all who's freedoms are violated. ~ Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend