Profile

Harry Eastham (or to give him his 'proper' name - Henry) was one of so many players whose careers were interrupted by the Second World War.

His father had played professionally for Blackpool and he was also related to the much better-known George, who had a marvellous career with Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke City. Eastham's debut in Liverpool's first-team came on the last day of October 1936 and he had featured in 21 First Division matches by the end of that 1936-37 season, scoring twice.

Although he was first-choice at the start of the next season and played in the opening 12 games, he then lost his number eight shirt to Phil Taylor and only started another three league matches that season.

After the long absence of league soccer due to the war, Harry returned to Anfield and qualified for a League Championship medal in the first season that league soccer resumed after hostilities ceased by appearing in 19 of the 42 games that took Liverpool to their fifth First Division title in 1947.

He did not play for the first eleven at all in 1947-48 and was eventually transferred to Tranmere Rovers in May 1948, playing for them for five years, making 154 league appearances, before finishing his league career with Accrington Stanley.

Other clubs:
Blackpool (amateur); New Brighton, Southport, Brighton, Bolton, Leeds, Newcastle & Blackpool (Wartime guest), Tranmere, Accrington Stanley, Netherfield (amateur), Rolls Royce (amateur)