Twitter anger over Jeff Astle's daughter car park 'ejection'
Dozens of West Brom fans have taken to Twitter to express their 'sadness' after Jeff Astle's daughter said she was escorted from a car park while handing out flyers in his memory.
Claire Astle was handing out the posters emblazoned with the number nine, worn by her father, on the East Stand car park before the game against Stoke yesterday.
As part of the Justice for Jeff campaign, they were held aloft by fans on the ninth minute of the match.
But Miss Astle claims she was escorted by stewards from the car park while handing them out to supporters - something the club denies, instead claiming that she was politely asked to move to pre-agreed distribution spots outside the stadium.
After her announcement on Twitter, others responded with their support.
Popular freelance broadcaster Adrian Goldberg, who does work for BBC WM radio, wrote: "Claire Astle @astle1968 escorted from #wba car park for trying to highlight plight of Dad who was one of club's greatest servants. Baffling."
Baggies season ticket holder Mr Goldberg's message was retweeted more than 120 times last night.
Paul Green, whose Twitter profile meanwhile suggested he was a steward at the club, also wrote to the 35-year-old Miss Astle: "Escorted out of the Astle Gates. Shocking irony there. As a steward at WBA I'm sorry that it happened. Very poor from the club."
Matt McArdle added: "Of all the things that have happened at #wba this season, the club's behaviour over this has made me the saddest!"
In reply to that tweet, Claire Astle said 'me too :( #wba'.
She was still let into the ground to watch what turned out to be a 1-2 defeat by The Potters.
She added: "There were no issues about watching the game. This was just about me handing out flyers on the East Stand car park.
"Although I feel disgusted, today was dad's day and the supporters' day and that's what's important."
The Justice for Jeff campaign was launched by his family and calls for the FA to honour its pledge to research the effects of repeatedly heading footballs on players' health.
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.
