http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/- Full Article West Brom fans give a round of applause at 9 minutes into the game for Jeff Astles campaign. Coroner ruled in 2002 that West Brom legend died from industrial disease caused by heading footballs. Jeff's wife Laraine says; “We have never spoken publicly about this before but have now because of what the FA has done to Geoff’s memory – they have swept it under the carpet.” Jeff was just 59 when he died in January 2002. A coroner later found the former striker – renowned for his prowess in the air – died from “industrial disease” caused by heading footballs. The Football Association promised a joint, ten-year study with the Professional Footballers’ Association into any links between heading the ball and neurological problems among ex-players. But no such work has ever been published. Laraine said she believed football’s ruling body was “frightened of losing money if it’s proven the game is a killer”. Speaking to the Mail two years ago, she said: “When Jeff died he had no recollection he ever played football. “He knew me but struggled with remembering our daughters’ names. He lived in his own little world and didn’t even recall where he lived. “I believe the FA should stand up and be counted, stop sweeping it under the carpet and accept their responsibilities.” Laraine has launched a Justice For Jeff campaign calling on the FA to acknowledge there was a link between Jeff’s brain disease and heading footballs. “Only after they admit that will they investigate,” she said. “If that happens and they do finally investigate, then Jeff’s death won’t have been in vain.” As part of the campaign, Baggies fans are being asked to stand up and applaud in the ninth minute of the game at Hull City on Saturday.
On another note..prob been talked about on here before so appologies in advance...if the UK follow USAs stance on asset freezes for russians...will Chelski be fooked?
"...died from industrial disease caused by heading footballs..." Don't get me wrong, he was a cracking player and it's very sad that he died at such a comparatively young age, but this is ****ing ridiculous. "Laraine, who lives in Derbyshire, has continuously sought recognition from football’s ruling bodies that he was killed by the game he loved." The poor woman obviously hasn't been able to get over his death, and for that she has my sympathy, but someone really should've been giving her better advice here. She wants recognition that "the game is a killer". If I were a Baggies fan I'd be too embarrassed to applaud this.
it's not nonsense, unfortunately. the effect is much like when boxers, such as mohammed ali, become "punch drunk". it might be alleviated to some extent by the lighter modern ball. heading a football can be like a mini case of concussion and doing it repeatedly can cause damage. some will suffer the effects more than others.
Why do you feel the need to constantly stick up for this incompetent bunch? I know you think they're your allies against Dr. Allam, but they're not. They're just redirecting Allams **** and shovelling it on to us, as we've seen with the absolutely outrageous George Boyd charge today. The FA are ****s and I believe every word of this story.
They're currently asking City fans on Twitter, to respect their applause in the 9th minute for this campaign. I have no idea if this is really a problem, but if this had happened to Waggy, I suspect we'd be doing exactly the same thing, so I'm happy to support it.
This use to be joked about when I played football as a kid in the school team and when the balls were leather. I use to be told that constant heading could damage the brain at which some of the more jokey kids said that there was nothing there to damage anyway. It was the neck that use to hurt sometimes and if you got hit in the privates then you knew about it.
Even if it seems a bit daft to some people, surely we just respect their campaign? We let them applaud for a minute and then get on with it. Done.
Think I agree with Bummy. Not sure it's something I believe in enough to join in with but good luck to them. It seems to be a campaign to attack the game as much as to remember the guy.
Heading footballs in the sixties was a lot more damaging than the balls today, so I would say there has been improvements made on this over time.
I'm sure all industries have related diseases and not everyone suffers from them, running a pub and having the odd scoop or two might turn you into a raging alki, then again it may not, it's all in the game as they say.
This ball weight thing. Aren't they the same official weight they've always been? I know they used to soak up water more when wet but it isn't always raining.
