Tribute to Jeff Astle in final Albion home game

The King Astle number nine posters will be handed out to every fan turning up to Sunday's home game against Stoke.

It comes as the Justice for Jeff campaign- calling for the FA to launch research into the effects of heading footballs- is stepped up.

Mr Astle died in 2002, aged 59, from brain damage which a coroner concluded was sustained through heading leather footballs during his glittering football career.

Campaigners have been calling for the FA to accept that the father-of-three suffered brain damage and to launch research into the effects of heading footballs.

The FA promised a 10-year study after his inquest but nothing has yet been published.

The latest idea is a mark of respect for all that the forward achieved at the Baggies and was dreamt up by the club's fans talking over Facebook.

It is the latest theme chosen for the last home game of the season, which usually sees supporters wearing fancy dress.

Debbie Green, a mother-of-one and a support worker, came up with the idea.

Miss Green, who sits in the Birmingham Road End, said: "Everyone was on about what we could do for the last game.

"And everyone decided we'd do something for Astle. We've had these posters made up."

Mr Astle's daughter Claire said she hoped this show of love for the striker, who scored 174 goals in 361 games for Albion, would keep the family's Justice for Jeff campaign at the forefront of people's minds.

The 35-year-old added: "It's not just dad who suffered - there's plenty more players worldwide."

Her sister Dawn added: "It's very touching. This will tell another generation of fans about Jeff Astle because it's been decades since he played for Albion.

"He would have been so proud because it shows how much he did for the club that he's remembered like this."

Earlier this season, Albion fans applauded in the ninth minute of the defeat at Hull City as a show of support for the Astle family.

Around 2,400 travelling fans clapped in the ninth minute in honour of the number 9 shirt 'the King' wore for the Baggies, showing support for the Justice for Jeff campaign.

A banner was also unfurled by the fans.

But the action was not mentioned on Match of the Day, prompting the family to speak of their disgust at the snub.

Astle's many goals for Albion included the winner in the 1968 FA Cup final. He also played five times for England.

MSA Printers in Graingers Lane, Cradley Heath, printed the posters for free after owner and Baggies fan Martin Kinally saw the conversation on Facebook.