Express & Star

Astle family brave West Brom's long Ipswich trip

A 400-Mile round trip to Ipswich on a cold Friday night is not how Jeff Astle’s daughter initially wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday.

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Laraine Astle and daughter Claire Wheeler will join Albion fans at Ipswich on Friday

But after the Baggies thrashed Leeds United 4-1 at The Hawthorns, Claire Wheeler gave in to her husband and now she can’t wait for the long journey this week.

That journey is going to be significantly improved by a hearty round of sandwiches made by Laraine Astle, Jeff’s widow, who is heading East with her daughter and dozens of other fans just nine days before her 72nd birthday.

As well as the late night and long journey, Laraine’s attendance is even more impressive considering she was struck by a lighter thrown by a Leicester City fan at The Hawthorns in March.

“The Leicester incident stopped her for a while,” admitted Claire. “I don’t think she’s been to a home game since Leicester.

“We went to Preston away and did Blackpool for the weekend with the kids which was really nice.

“Mum also went to Norwich so this will be her third game of the season. She always follows the games from home, but now my little boy is getting into football, she wants to come.

“(My husband) Jason offered for her to come and she agreed. It’s an opportunity for a trip out, she really enjoys the social aspect of it. She’ll know a lot of people on the coach.”

The Astle family are driving down from Derbyshire to The Hawthorns where they will catch the official Baggies Travel coach to Ipswich.

Claire has had a season ticket for 20 years, but she admitted she needed some convincing about this particular trip from husband and die-hard Baggie Jason.

It’s her 40th birthday on Monday, and a long drive to Ipswich wasn’t exactly top of her list.

She said: “My reaction was ‘that’s not being my sole birthday present!’ Absolutely not.

“After being hammered by Derby, which are my local rivals round here, heading to Ipswich was not my priority!

“The Leeds game swung it for me, I said ‘right who’s going to Ipswich?’ If we were playing Exeter on a Tuesday night, Jason would go, but as much as I love the club, I couldn’t. I’ve got some sense.”

None of Albion’s next five games are at the weekend, and all of them are available to watch on television.

“It’s a massive expense, especially when the game’s televised,” said Claire.

“And with Sky you can watch the midweek games on the red button. I’ve got complete and utter respect to those that go to every game, especially the away ones. Those fans are the lifeblood of the club and the atmosphere can make such a difference.”

The Astle family’s continued fight to get dementia in football properly researched properly has come to light once more recently following calls for Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, to resign.

But the family remains fans of the sport and the Baggies, and this year, Jeff’s grandson Joseph has got his first season ticket at the age of five. He joins his step-brother Jason, 12, and step-sister Jess, eight.

“They’re really enjoying the season because they’re seeing goals!” said Claire.

“We were even talking about play offs and promotion and getting to Wembley this week, although we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves there.

“But the kids’ season tickets are reasonably priced so hats off to the club for that.”