On a day when the rainfall was of biblical proportions, Blue Diamond Club members gathered at the Kendleshire Golf Club for their latest social gathering.
Not that any of those present, some of whom are keen golfers, had any intention of undertaking a round of golf on this occasion, though the view of the 18th green from the first-floor dining area must have been tempting for some.
At least, it would have been when they arrived, for although the storm clouds were gathering overhead, it remained dry. One or two seasoned golfers were completing their rounds as drinks were ordered ahead of the early afternoon meal and the talk to be given by our guest for the day, Dawn Astle.
During the meal, which was of the usual high standard we have become used to at The Kendleshire, outside, the heavens opened, and any thoughts of watching more members of the club completing their round on the 18th green disappeared, as did the green itself, which was swallowed up by the ornamental lake alongside it!
With lunch over and raffle tickets sold, it was time to hear from Dawn. What followed was one of the most inspirational and emotional talks I have ever heard from any of the speakers we have engaged for previous Blue Diamond lunches.
As I’m sure you know, Dawn’s father was Jeff Astle, former Notts County, West Bromwich Albion and England striker who died in 2002 at the age of 59.
Diagnosed with early onset dementia some four years before his death, Dawn, who subsequently set up the Jeff Astle Foundation, spoke of his struggles during the years following his diagnosis and the tragic way his life ended.
By the time of his death, Jeff didn’t recognize his own family and had no idea that he had once been a professional footballer, even though he was surrounded by the trophies and mementoes of his time in the game.
It was thought that the constant heading of a football during his career had contributed to Jeff’s death, and his family donated his brain for scientific research into the actual cause of his decline.
Although aged 59 when he died, the family were told, at the inquest into his death, that he had the brain of an 89-year-old. The coroner believed that Jeff’s brain trauma had been caused by repeated heading of a football throughout his career and had made a significant contribution to his death. The ruling was that he died from an industrial disease.
The family began a campaign ‘Justice for Jeff’ as they wanted answers to why his brain resembled that of a boxer who had taken too many blows to the head.
Told by the Football Association (FA) and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) that research into how the brain was affected by the heading of a football was being undertaken, Dawn and her family discovered, some ten years later, that the findings of that research had never been published. Dawn and her family decided to take action.
The Jeff Astle Foundation came into being and acted as a catalyst for many families of footballers who had already died of dementia or were living with the condition to take action.
Fifteen years on from Jeff’s death, experts at the Boston University School of Medicine spoke of the disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head.
Previously only identified posthumously, the disease came to prominence following Kevin Doyle’s announcement that he was retiring due to concerns over headaches that followed several concussions he received in his career with the Republic of Ireland, Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It’s probable, and extremely likely, that Jeff died from this disease and prompted the Jeff Astle Foundation to push/prompt/cajole football’s governing bodies, such as the FA and PFA, to wake up to the fact that they have a duty to inform and protect those whose lives are affected by this disease and to look after the families of those affected.
The Foundation continues to campaign for greater safety for players, and steps, although small, are being taken to safeguard future generations of footballers. For instance, heading has been banned for all those under the age of 12.
It’s only a small step, but with Dawn now working closely with the PFA, further positive changes are likely.
What shone through during Dawn’s talk to Blue Diamond Club members was a daughter’s love for her father, a family’s fight for justice and for making sure that future generations of footballers are made aware of the dangers associated with our wonderful national game and putting a support network in place for those affected by this terrible disease.
One other guest was listening intently to Dawn; Bobby Gould, former Rovers player and twice manager of our club, played alongside Jeff during his time with West Bromwich Albion.
He spoke, briefly, of a gifted footballer and ‘the funniest footballer I ever met’ and lightened the mood by explaining how Jeff, when asked by officials to check his boots before a game, somehow managed to let them inspect the same boot twice.
Bobby stood on a chair to demonstrate that, and thankfully, his wife, Marge, ensured he didn’t fall off!
Proceedings were rounded off when Bobby was presented with a cap to mark his Bristol Rovers debut against Blackburn Rovers back in 1977 when he became the 446th person to represent Rovers in the league.
Given that this Supporters Club initiative was inspired by the scheme introduced by West Bromwich Albion, it was fitting that it was Dawn, who made the presentation, given her and Bobby’s connection to that club.
To ‘cap’ off a wonderful afternoon, the raffle raised £400, which was donated to the Jeff Astle Foundation.
And the rain stopped!
Words by Keith Brookman
