Jeff Astle

Its not often I comment on things related to our boing-boingy type neighbours but I just heard on the radio the most shocking account of former Albion striker Jeff Astle's death, as told by his daughter.

He choked to death on his own vomit, his own brain so damaged by repeated heading of footballs that he was simply incapable of being able to respond to the situation. The potential implications for football are immense given that a study of Astle's preserved brain has shown the damage is similar to that caused by boxing. So the balls are lighter now but even so, players must still be coming out of the game with brain damage.

I liked Jeff Astle and it was a terrible end to his life. This is a light hearted look at happier times for him.

Chris that's awful. The poor guy and he died so young, 59 wasn't he?

I'll always remember him from the Fantasy Football show, so sad that his life ended so prematurely.

Some nice comments for Jeff here by real football fans. Jeff was a great bloke and still went to the games right up until his illness prevented him. The F.A. nor indeed the club have done enough to help the Astle family in there campaign. Hopefully this will change next season.

I was working in a pub in Wolverhampton many years ago and they had a Dinner-Talk night with Jeff Astle.
The bloke was a natural comedian and some of the stories he told about his playing days had everyone in tears of laughter.
His family should be looked after far better than they are.

Met him once at a Sportsmans dinner in Wolverhampton, found him to be a very humble and approachable man