OBITUARY
Another World Cup final player dies
After the death of Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer in January this year, another FIFA World Cup-winning player, George Eastham of England has died.
This brings to three, the number of FIFA World Cup finalist players who passed on in the year. Johan Neesken who played in the final match for Holland against Franz Beckenbauer’s West Germany had also died in October.
The latest death is that of George Eastham, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad. He was 88. His former club, Stoke City announced his death on Friday.
Son of England international George Senior, midfielder and inside forward Eastham 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.
Known for his lethal left foot and creativity, Eastham is a legend at Stoke, famously scoring the winner in the 1972 League Cup final, helping the club win their first major trophy in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Eastham made 194 league appearances for Stoke over eight seasons, and went on to manage the club between 1977-78.
The Blackpool-born player is also remembered for his crusade against the old ‘retain and transfer’ system which allowed a club to keep a player’s registration as a means to force them to stay.
When Eastham’s contract with Newcastle expired in 1959, he went on a strike for eight months to force the club to let him join Arsenal.
Eastham also moved the High Court against the ‘retain and transfer’ system, where a judge found it to be unreasonable, leading to major reforms in the British transfer market and the establishment of a tribunal to deal with disputes.
He received the award of an ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ (OBE) in 1973 for his services to football.
Stoke players will wear a black band as a mark of respect for Eastham when they visit Sheffield Wednesday for a Championship game on Saturday, the club said in a statement.
“The Stoke City Football Club family is immensely saddened by the passing of club legend George Eastham… our thoughts are with George’s family and friends at this difficult time,” the statement added.
The club will also pay tribute to Eastham at the home game against Leeds United on Boxing Day.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A Japanese World Cup journalist who covered 10 editions of the global event, Hiroshi Kagawa has died. He covered the World Cup, starting with the 1974 edition in West Germany till Brazil 2014, missing out only at South Africa 2010 on health grounds.
At the Brazil 2014, his last, Sports Village Square correspondent met him as, at 89, he was the oldest member of the press corps.
He died on 5 December this year, just 24 days before his 100th birthday.
According to information gleaned from AIPS – the global body for sports journalists, Kagawa was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Japan Football Association and five years later, he was honoured with the FIFA Presidential Award.
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A former player of Hasaacas FC in Ghana, Kwabena Baidoo has reportedly died in the celebration that attended the return of John Dramani Mahama to power as President-Elect.
According to reports from Ghana Soccernet, the former footballer died in the Ellembelle District of the country during the celebration of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) victory in the 2024 General Election.
According to reports, Baidoo was in jubilation when he met his demise in a motor accident.
His sister, Charity, and brother, Emmanuel Quarm, confirmed the sad news.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran journalist and communications expert, Dapo Sotuminu.
Reflecting on the loss, Olopade described Sotuminu as more than a journalist: “Dapo and I share a long-standing working relationship.
“He was not just a journalist; he was a brother and a friend to me, a workaholic whose contributions to this industry will never be forgotten. His dedication and unparalleled work ethic have left an indelible mark on the sports sector.”
Sotuminu, a respected media professional, was known for his impactful work in advancing sports marketing and journalism.
Olopade mourning the magnitude of this loss, stated, “Why now, Dapo! We had great things to do together. You’re a rare gem. Words fail to capture the devastation of this loss.”
The late journalist’s legacy in sports media remains a testament to his dedication and passion, and his contributions will continue to inspire professionals in the industry.
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