Darren Moore meets the Astle family and tells them – 'I support you fully'
Darren Moore met the Astle family this week to clear the air and reassure them both he and the club fully support their campaign for justice.
Jeff Astle’s widow Laraine and their two daughters Dawn and Claire were left ‘extremely hurt’ and ‘bitterly disappointed’ last week after Moore inadvertently asked them to wait for a review into the Professional Footballers’ Association to be concluded before passing comment.
The Astle family have campaigned against the PFA’s inaction over dementia in football for years, ever since legendary Baggies striker Jeff was found to have died from head injuries he sustained playing the game.
But Albion’s head coach, who insisted his comments had not come across how he meant them to, invited all three ladies into the training ground first thing on Monday morning to reassure them he did not intend to silence them and that they were ‘part of the Albion family’.
“I met Laraine and both daughters Claire and Dawn,” confirmed Moore. “We had a wonderful meeting to discuss comments made last week.
“It was a really positive meeting and it was great to see them. I know them personally and our friendship goes back years.
“My comment was for the review to be concluded on the PFA and the organisation as a whole,” added Moore. “It was never to discuss anything personally with the family and they know that.
“We cleared that matter up which was really pleasing. I support the family fully, they know that.
“I don’t speak on behalf of last week, more the years before that.
“The club has supported the family over many years and will continue to do so.
“In terms of the PFA, things are going on there and we’ll all wait to see what’s going on.”
Dawn Astle, who had been left feeling ‘numb’ last week, confirmed the meeting had been a success.
She told the Express & Star: “As far as the family are concerned, we’ve drawn a line under it now.”
And Moore was pleased with how the morning finished.
“I was really delighted because I had three different sets of hugs,” he said. “I had nine hugs – two from Dawn, two from Claire and lots from Laraine. We all left the training ground with smiles.
“They’re part of the family and it’s amazing where positive communication can get you. It all ended well.”
