Albion striker Roman Bednar was today handed the ‘royal’ seal of approval – from the widow of the ‘The King’ of the Hawthorns.
Jeff Astle’s widow Laraine said the Baggies FA Cup winner would have loved the Czech striker, who has hit four goals to help the club reach Saturday’s semi-final with Portsmouth.
And she revealed that 24-year-old Bednar is the new darling of Astle’s three daughters.
See Laraine Astle’s memories of 1968 by clicking Laraine’s trip down memory lane
“My girls and other fans have said to me that Jeff would have loved Roman Bednar,” said Mrs Astle, who joined the Express & Star at Wembley to relive her husband’s winner 40 years ago.
“I would love him to score against Portsmouth on Saturday because he is a young player that my Jeff would have admired.
“He is a hard worker and a team player who doesn’t mind getting involved with defending. And he scores goals, so Jeff would have really liked him and I hope he can be the one to take us into the final.”
Mrs Astle, who remains a season ticket holder at The Hawthorns, will attend Saturday’s semi-final with the couple’s three daughters, Dorice, Dawn and Claire, and their three grandchildren Anthony, aged 17, Taylor, 11 and Matthew, 10.
The whole family are big fans of Bednar, whose 17 goals in 20 starts have earned comparisons with her husband, who scored 137 goals in 292 games in a decade with Albion.
Lorraine said: “There are certain things that he does that remind me of Jeff. He works hard for the club, as Jeff did, and he seems to love scoring goals in the same way. He looks like he gives everything for the team every week, just like Jeff.”
Wembley visit – Page 53
6 Comments
I’m with Mrs Astle in hoping Roman puts one past James and of course Kev must get in on the act and we can’t forget Miller , and maybe Koren can slip one in too.Then again Brunt might as could Morrison and perhaps Cesar and Albie will fancy their chances. Such a wealth of talent to choose from.
Wembley here we come
im afraid hes got a long way to go,but he can do it for us come on roman bang um in boing boing
Lets hope he scores the winner as JEFF did,a goal at wembley and he will have scored in every round witch will make him the new KING at the baggies
Not in a million years! He’s good but i’m afraid not even close!!!
King Jeff. My boyhood hero. Hero through teens. Still my hero.
Its great to see the ‘Astle’ girls say that.I also think he is very similar to the King in his style of play and personality. He shows passion for the cause and is up for a laugh just like Big Jeff. Hail Roman… the Emperor of the Hawthorns!