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25-05-2007, 12:00
http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/wd2134677wba-astle-1-sl-24.jpgJeff Astle’s widow has turned down a seat in the Royal Box at Wembley so she can sit with the Baggies fans wearing a club shirt bearing the legendary Astle name and number.
Laraine, who lives in the enemy territory of Derbyshire, was touched by the club’s offer but said returning to Wembley on Monday for the first time since Jeff’s death would be an emotional experience.
“I want to be with my family, sitting with the fans,” she said. “Jeff loved the fans and they adored him back. I’m so grateful to the club for the gesture but I had to decline it. I’ve never worn a club shirt before but Wembley is special.
“And somehow I don’t think it would pass the dress code in the Royal Box.”
Goal machine Jeff became a Wembley hero after scoring the winning goal in extra time to clinch the FA Cup in 1968.
Fans have told her they plan to place flowers and a photo of Jeff at the Bobby Moore statue at Wembley.$
Laraine will be travelling to the game by coach with eight members of the Astle dynasty, including daughters Dorice, Dawn and Claire and three of her four grandchildren. Matthew, aged nine, will be wearing a club top with the words ‘Grandad Jeff, No 9’.
Since the semi-final matches against Wolves, the family has been running the gauntlet of Derby fans, Albion’s opponents in Monday’s Championship play-off final.
Laraine, who took over Jeff’s window-cleaning business when he died, said: “I’ve had to be such a diplomat or I’d have no customers left. If we win, I won’t go into town for a bit.”
May has been a difficult month for Laraine, who has had to endure two poignant anniversaries, one of them on the day of the first play-off match against Wolves.
“Jeff would have been 65 on that day and five days later, on May 18, it was the anniversary of the 1968 FA Cup Final.$
“I really struggled with his 65th birthday. Jeff would be retired now and we’d be sitting together looking forward to Monday and spending more time together. I still miss him every minute of every day.”
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/25/astles-widow-to-sit-with-fans/)
Laraine, who lives in the enemy territory of Derbyshire, was touched by the club’s offer but said returning to Wembley on Monday for the first time since Jeff’s death would be an emotional experience.
“I want to be with my family, sitting with the fans,” she said. “Jeff loved the fans and they adored him back. I’m so grateful to the club for the gesture but I had to decline it. I’ve never worn a club shirt before but Wembley is special.
“And somehow I don’t think it would pass the dress code in the Royal Box.”
Goal machine Jeff became a Wembley hero after scoring the winning goal in extra time to clinch the FA Cup in 1968.
Fans have told her they plan to place flowers and a photo of Jeff at the Bobby Moore statue at Wembley.$
Laraine will be travelling to the game by coach with eight members of the Astle dynasty, including daughters Dorice, Dawn and Claire and three of her four grandchildren. Matthew, aged nine, will be wearing a club top with the words ‘Grandad Jeff, No 9’.
Since the semi-final matches against Wolves, the family has been running the gauntlet of Derby fans, Albion’s opponents in Monday’s Championship play-off final.
Laraine, who took over Jeff’s window-cleaning business when he died, said: “I’ve had to be such a diplomat or I’d have no customers left. If we win, I won’t go into town for a bit.”
May has been a difficult month for Laraine, who has had to endure two poignant anniversaries, one of them on the day of the first play-off match against Wolves.
“Jeff would have been 65 on that day and five days later, on May 18, it was the anniversary of the 1968 FA Cup Final.$
“I really struggled with his 65th birthday. Jeff would be retired now and we’d be sitting together looking forward to Monday and spending more time together. I still miss him every minute of every day.”
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/25/astles-widow-to-sit-with-fans/)
