George Eastham, who was a part of England’s 1966 World Cup workforce, has died on the age of 88.
Eastham didn’t play in any of the World Cup matches however was a part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad that finally triumphed over West Germany at Wembley.
Born in Blackpool, he spent most of his profession at Newcastle, Arsenal, and Stoke.
He’s recognized amongst soccer followers because the participant who fought to finish so-called “slavery contracts”, along with his involvement in a 1963 court docket case serving to reform the UK soccer switch market, and permitting gamers larger freedom to maneuver golf equipment.
Eastham’s father, George Senior, additionally performed for England – profitable one cap, and his uncle Harry Eastham performed for Liverpool and Stoke.
George Junior secured 19 – taking part in for his nation between 1963 and 1966.
He made 194 League appearances for Stoke, and after a short stint taking part in in Northern Eire, 124 for Newcastle, and 207 for Arsenal.
Paying tribute to him, Stoke Metropolis FC stated the membership is “immensely saddened”.
“George was signed by the Potters for a £35,000 charge shortly after being a part of England’s 1966 World Cup profitable squad,” its assertion learn.
“He went on to signify the membership for eight seasons within the high division of the English sport and was a two-time FA Cup semi-finalist in purple and white.
“He’s maybe greatest remembered as the person whose purpose secured the 1972 League Cup in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
“The Potters will put on black armbands for the fixture towards Sheffield Wednesday as a mark of respect. Our ideas are with George’s household and buddies at this tough time.”
Ahead McKenzie Dicicco, 22, was arrested following an incident on the station on December 15 which left goalkeeper James Hitchcock in hospital.
The goalie died 4 days later along with his household at his bedside.
Dicicco, of Belgravia Gardens, Middlesbrough, made his second court docket look this afternoon at Leeds Crown Courtroom in entrance of the Recorder of Leeds, Choose Man Kearl KC.
The decide spoke to barristers for the prosecution and defence in regards to the preparation of the trial.
He ordered that the trial start on July 14 at Leeds Crown Courtroom. It’s anticipated to final every week.
Dicicco didn’t make a bail utility.
He was remanded in custody till February 5 when he’ll seem earlier than the identical court docket for a plea and trial preparation listening to. Then the costs of homicide and affray will probably be put to him and he should enter his plea.
He had made his first court docket look earlier than York Magistrates Courtroom on Thursday (December 19).
A number of golf equipment and others within the non-league footballing world made tributes yesterday to Mr Hitchcock, who performed for Barton FC in Lincolnshire.
Dicicco had performed for non-league golf equipment in North Yorkshire, earlier than transferring to Thornaby FC in Cleveland.
McKenzie Dicicco, a ahead who has performed for a number of non-league golf equipment in North Yorkshire and Teesside, is alleged to have fatally injured James Hitchcock throughout violence on the station on Sunday night.
Mr Hitchcock, 28, who was goalkeeper for non-league Lincolnshire membership Barton FC on the time of his demise and had beforehand performed for non-league groups Scarborough Athletic FC and Bridlington City FC, died on Wednesday together with his household at his aspect.
Dicicco appeared earlier than York Magistrates’ Court docket in custody on fees of murdering Mr Hitchcock and affray at York Railway Station.
The 22-year-old, of Belgravia Gardens, Middlesbrough, was not requested to enter a plea to both cost and didn’t give any indication.
York magistrates heard that as a result of he’s charged with homicide, the case must be despatched to a crown courtroom to be tried by a choose and jury.
They had been additionally informed that solely a crown courtroom or Excessive Court docket choose may give bail in homicide instances.
They despatched the case to Leeds Crown Court docket the place Dicicco will seem for a preliminary listening to tomorrow (Friday, December 20).
Dicicco spoke solely to verify his identify and handle in the course of the temporary listening to. Members of his household sat within the public gallery.
Whereas most individuals would suppose that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the world’s richest footballers, that isn’t the case.
That is although Ronaldo reportedly earns $200 million per yr at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi $32 million at Inter Miami within the US.
However it’s Faiq Bolkiah, a 25-year-old footballer from Brunei, who holds the title of the world’s richest footballer with an enormous internet value of £18 billion.
To place that into perspective, Messi is value round £500 million and Ronaldo about £400 million – mixed, that’s nonetheless £17 billion lower than Bolkiah.
In contrast to Messi or Ronaldo, Bolkiah’s fortune doesn’t come from soccer alone. He’s the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the present Sultan of Brunei, and a part of one of many wealthiest royal households on the planet.
The Sultan himself is value an estimated £22 billion, with the household proudly owning palaces, luxurious properties, and an eye-watering fleet of almost 600 Rolls-Royce automobiles.
Born in Los Angeles in 1998, Faiq has twin citizenship in Brunei and the US, however he spent his early years in England, the place he pursued soccer.
He attended Thorngrove Preparatory College close to Newbury and rapidly caught the attention of coaches along with his expertise on the pitch.
Faiq then left Newbury and joined Southampton’s academy in 2009. 4 years later, he tried out for Arsenal however rapidly returned to the Saints.
Former teammates described him as “fast, skillful, and humble,” and his taking part in fashion was much like Theo Walcott’s.
In 2014 Faiq joined Chelsea’s youth staff, impressing sufficient to earn a two-year contract.
Ruben Sammut, a former Chelsea academy participant, beforehand stated: “He was a shy man who skilled exhausting day-after-day. We joked about him being rich, however all of us knew how a lot he liked soccer.”
Faiq then went on to play for Leicester Metropolis, the place he signed his first skilled contract in 2015.
Although a part of the reserve staff for 3 years, he by no means made a senior look. He ultimately moved to Maritimo in Portugal in 2020 however later left by mutual settlement.
Faiq captained the Brunei nationwide staff on the worldwide stage and scored for his nation.
And, regardless of his wealth, soccer stays his true ardour. “I’ve performed soccer for so long as I can bear in mind, and I’ve all the time liked being on the pitch,” he as soon as stated.
In 2021, Faiq joined Chonburi FC within the Thai League earlier than shifting to Ratchaburi in 2023, the place he reportedly earns simply £2,300 per thirty days, having refused particular privileges resulting from his royal standing.
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Mr Kavelashvili holds anti-Western and infrequently conspiratorial views, having beforehand claimed that Western intelligence businesses try to push Georgia into warfare with Russia, its ruler for 2 centuries till the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
He was a striker for Manchester Metropolis between 1996 and 1997, earlier than enjoying for a variety of golf equipment within the Swiss Tremendous League.
He was first elected to parliament in 2016 for the Georgian Dream social gathering – which is attempting to deepen ties with Russia because the warfare started in Ukraine – and in November 2024 was chosen as its presidential candidate.
Supporters of the Georgian opposition maintain portraits of individuals injured at rallies (EPA)
Mr Kavelashvili’s election comes following big protests in opposition to the federal government led by the Georgian Dream social gathering, after it moved to freeze accession to the EU – an extended standing purpose which is written into the nation’s structure – till 2028.
The transfer prompted anger in Georgia, the place searching for EU membership is overwhelmingly common, based on opinion polls. However the former footballer eased his manner into the presidency, with the Georgian Dream social gathering controlling the 300-seat electoral school which in 2017 changed direct presidential elections.
Protestors gathered outdoors the Georgian parliament constructing within the capital Tbilisi, many enjoying soccer and mockingly waving pink playing cards in the direction of the constructing in reference to Mr Kavelashvili’s soccer profession.
Law enforcement officials block the Georgian Parliament constructing as anti-government demonstrators collect outdoors the parliament in Tbilisi (AFP through Getty Pictures)
One protestor, Vezi Kokhodze, mentioned the vote was “treason” given the need of the Georgian inhabitants to shift near the West. He informed Reuters information company: “At this time’s election represents the clear want of the system to carry Georgia again to its Soviet roots.”
The school of electors which selects a Georgian president – largely a ceremonial place – is made up of MPs and native authorities representatives. 224 of the 225 electors current voted for Mr Kavelashvili – the one candidate who was nominated.
Opposition events have boycotted the Georgian parliament since an election in October which noticed Georgian Dream win practically 54 per cent of the vote however which was condemned as fraudulent by opposition events.
Tens of hundreds of protestors have rallied outdoors parliament each night time for greater than two weeks. Fireworks have been thrown at police, who’ve damaged up demonstrations with water cannons and tear gasoline. The federal government claims the protests are an try to stage a pro-EU revolution to grab energy violently.
Mikheil Kavelashvili (L), solely presidential candidate nominated by the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’ social gathering, listens to applause after being chosen as new Georgia’s president (EPA)
Actual energy in Georgia is commonly seen to lie with Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire ex prime minister who nominated Mr Kavelashvili for the presidency.
Mr Kavelashvili was concerned in writing a regulation wherein organisations which obtain greater than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad must register as brokers of international affect – just like a Russian regulation which discredits individuals vital of Putin’s regime.
Outgoing pro-EU president Salome Zourabichvili, a critic of the ruling Georgian Dream social gathering, described the number of a brand new president as a “mockery of democracy”. She has positioned herself because the chief of the protest motion and says she is going to stay as president after her time period ends, as she considers the parliament to be illegitimate.
Opposition events say they’ll regard Ms Zourabichvili because the reputable president even after Mr Kavelashvili’s inauguration on December 29.
