Founding father of transfers George Eastham finds it's a different ball game

The timing would have appealed to Eastham, who won a famous court battle in 1963 to pave the way for an improvement in the wages and conditions of footballers.

Trailblazer: Eastham attends a PFA event last year, having secured their future in 1963 by winning his case

"The money players receive these days is great in a sense," Eastham said. "They won't have to grovel after they stop playing like we had to do in my day. Even players at the smaller clubs are getting enough these days. But some of the money earned is a little over the top. Players seem to want more and more. I don't know where it's going to end."

It is nearly half a century since Eastham went on strike at Newcastle on a point of principle.

He had wanted to move to Arsenal at the end of his contract, but his request was refused under the notorious 'retain and transfer' system which let clubs keep hold of player registrations and yet stop payments.

The talk was of 'slavery', and not the sort of 'slavery' Ashley Cole spoke of when in dispute about an extra £5,000 a week.

Eastham went to work for a friend selling cork and kept fit playing in charity matches.

Backed financially by the PFA, he initiated High Court proceedings and, d espite having been transferred to the Gunners by then, eventually won a famous case.

The PFA, who would probably have folded had that battle been lost, went from strength to strength and 'Eastham v Newcastle United' entered the annals of footballing folklore.

At the same time, Jimmy Hill was winning his fight against the maximum wage.

"I suppose you can say that I was the father of the modern transfer market," Eastham said. "But Bosman is probably a better known name nowadays."

Eastham, who emigrated to South Africa 30 years ago, is on holiday in England, staying with his son, also George, in Stoke.

Yesterday, Eastham met with the PFA's Gordon Taylor to negotiate the pre-sale of two father-and-son England caps.

It is understood that the PFA paid in the region of £10,000 for Eastham's debut cap against Brazil in 1963, and the only cap of his father (another George) against Holland in 1935.

The inflated sum is recognition of the pair becoming the first father and son to have represented England.

The most celebrated of the items at auction next month is a famous red World Cup winning shirt.

Only 22 were handed out to members of the 1966 England squad.

Eastham, a slight and skilful inside forward, was given No 22 but never played in the tournament. Eastham thought long and hard before deciding to sell some of his footballing mementos.

"I am by no means poor," he said. "But I'm a pensioner and the cost of living is going up all the time. The money may come in handy and, if not, it will be shared among my family.

"I just thought it was time. Otherwise they would end up under the bed or in a cupboard but I'm keeping some of my stuff."

One item missing from the auction is his World Cup medal - because he has not yet received it. Eastham was one of those who, having never played throughout the tournament, did not pick up a medal at the time as they were only given out, between 1930 and 1974, to the players who figured in the final.

FIFA decided last year that a medal will go to all those squad members who missed out, or their families, but have not yet got around to minting them.