Jeff Astle was more than a footballer. To generations of West Bromwich Albion supporters, he was simply 'The King'. Born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, he began his professional career with Notts County before joining West Bromwich Albion in 1964 for ยฃ25,000, a fee that would prove to be one of the greatest bargains in the club's history. Over the next decade, Astle became one of English football's most feared centre-forwards, scoring 174 goals in 361 appearances for Albion. Powerful in the air, brave beyond measure, and blessed with an instinct for goals, he quickly became the heartbeat of a side that thrilled supporters throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. His finest moment came in 1968 when he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Everton, completing the remarkable feat of scoring in every round of the competition that season. Two years later he became the first player to score in both the FA Cup and League Cup Finals at Wembley. During the 1969-70 campaign, Astle finished as the First Division's leading scorer with 25 league goals and earned selection for England's World Cup squad in Mexico, winning five international caps. His popularity in the Black Country became legendary. The words 'Astle Is The King' appeared on a canal bridge near The Hawthorns and became one of English football's most famous fan tributes. Yet Jeff Astle's story extends far beyond goals and trophies. After retirement, he ran a cleaning business and became a familiar television personality, loved for his humour and warmth. Tragically, his later years were overshadowed by a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated heading of heavy leather footballs used during his playing career. Following his death in 2002, an inquest recorded a verdict of death by industrial injury, making his case one of the most significant in football history. His legacy helped spark vital research into brain injuries in sport and led to the creation of the Jeff Astle Foundation, which continues to raise awareness today. More than two decades after his passing, Albion supporters still applaud in the ninth minute of matches in honour of their legendary number nine. Some players are remembered for statistics. Jeff Astle is remembered for changing lives, shaping football history, and leaving behind a legacy far greater than goals alone.
Yes.
It is.
My uncle died.
My cousin is ill.
I only got tested because of them and, at 52 and a, white man, I'm having a biopsy on Friday and other procedures....
Test every man over 50 ffs.
@MikeTappTweets None of this was in the manifesto Mike....
The Manifesto was more Fantasy than Lord of The Rings.
You haven't turned a corner Sir. You've crashed into a sidewall
If you are arrested there are 3 key rules you have to follow:
Go no comment, do not speak to the Police
Never plead guilty
Never testify in your own defence
These are the basics!
๐จBREAKING: Hampshire Police have been found potentially trying to pervert the course of justice.
Reports suggest they wished to portray Henry Nowak as the aggressor and to issue a statement regarding disinformation online but were only stopped after a judge said this may prejudice the case
Later it was found his murderer was lying
Another example of bias in favour of Digwa