West Ham supporters travelling to the Midlands tomorrow are being asked to join Albion fans in a round of applause in memory of Baggies legend Jeff Astle.
The former England striker died aged just 59 in 2002 as a result of head injuries sustained by heading heavy footballs during his career, which spanned nearly 20 years.Since then, Astle's family have been campaigning to raise awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition commonly seen in former boxers who suffered serial blows to the head.
Tomorrow, during West Ham's 5th Round FA Cup tie at the Hawthorns, West Brom fans will play their part by staging a round of applause for ex-centre froward Astle in the ninth minute.
And KUMB have been asked to raise awareness of the momentary applause by Claire Astle, Jeff's daughter who runs the #justiceforjeff campaign.
@kumbdotcom Humbled if #whufc join in the applause for dad tomorrow on 9 minutes http://t.co/xqMcgLK9ee #justiceforjeff #wba #FACup
— Claire Astle (@astle1968) February 13, 2015
Astle , who ended the 1969/70 season as the First Division's leading scorer with 25 goals played alongside West Ham's Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst in that summer's World Cup Finals in Mexico.
He made his debut for England in 1968, with his final appearance for the Three Lions coming in England's 1-0 win over Czechoslovakia during the 1970 Finals.
Known for his keen sense of humour, Astle was a regular fixture on David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's Fantasy Football League television show during the 1990s. He died suddenly in 2002 after collapsing at home.
In recent times, Albion fans have made a habit of holding a round of applause in memory of Astle in the ninth minute of every home game.
West Ham face West Brom in the 5th Round of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns tomorrow lunchtime. Kick off 12.45pm.
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