Express & Star

An emotional night for the Jeff Astle family

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The nine-minute mark of every game, every weekend at every ground in the Premier League is poignant this season for the Astle clan.

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But tonight at Goodison Park will be especially emotional for the family of Albion legend Jeff Astle.

On the 13th anniversary of the former striker's death, Baggies fans will unfurl their banner, clap their hands and acclaim their hero as they always do.

Yet today's applause will mean a little bit more to Astle's widow, Larraine, and their daughters.

Because it will be the first time the tribute has taken place on the exact anniversary of Jeff's passing.

And it will be the first time it has happened at Everton – the opponents against whom he made his name more than any other.

[youtube title="Albion's official video showcasing the best of Jeff Astle"][/youtube]

"There are certain clubs that you always have a soft spot for and Everton will always be one for us," said Dawn Astle, whose father's famous goal against the Toffees in the 1968 FA Cup Final at Wembley delivered the Baggies' last major trophy.

"One of the first letters we received and opened after his death was from Brian Labone, the Everton defender who he played against in the Cup final. It was such a lovely letter and I think my mum still has it somewhere.

"Since that day Everton has always been special for us, and I suppose it always was as the team that Dad scored his most famous goal against."

January 19 is always a bittersweet occasion for Dawn.

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She celebrates her own 47th birthday today but the date will always be remembered as the one on which she lost her father, and tonight's trip to the football will be a rare excursion.

"I never really do anything on the day because it will always be the day we lost Dad, and I never really like to go to a game near that date because it is too emotional," she added. "But this year my sister, Claire, wants to go and I am going with her."

The 'Justice for Jeff' campaign which is promoted on the fans' banner was launched by the family to raise awareness of head injuries in football.

The brain disease that claimed Astle's life – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – was linked to repeatedly heading the ball throughout his career.

Alongside the awareness campaign, the family have launched The Jeff Astle Foundation to support ex-sportsmen and women with brain conditions.

Charity galas, dinners and grant applications will help fund care facilities, research and education for up-and-coming sports stars.

Dawn said: "'Justice' is a powerful word and it has lots of meanings.

"In this case we want the FA and PFA to recognise the damage that heading footballs did to Dad.

"People have asked whether Dad's was an isolated case, but we don't believe it was."

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