Heading footballs 'caused Astle death'

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Former West Bromwich Albion and England striker Jeff Astle died from a degenerative brain disease caused by heading heavy leather footballs, a coroner has recorded.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/2441453.stm

It doesnt suprise me.

I can only remember back to the days of those Size 5 O'Neills balls that us poor 10 year olds were told to head. I think I still get sporadic headaches just thinking about them. Nowadays, if you even touch the ball its half way up the pitch, like a feather on a windy day.

From a legal point of view, I wonder will anyone (FA's, FIFA etc.)be held to account for the enforcement of ball specifications that now have been proven by a coroner to be fatal.

--
Theres actually a nice little tribute Jeff Astle here

LizardKing

I do remember playing football as a kid , those footballs did seem a lot harder / heavier especially if wet.... Getting a smack of a football in the Ear used to hurt for ages too , still brings a tear to my eye ....

I'd say it would be a bit unlikely for anyone to get compensation for damages due to heading football 's but could open up a new line for the ambulance chasers and compo culturists....

mike65

Yeah, I remember traditional footballs on a wet day, hell you could bearly kick em never mind head! I guess its a bit like being hit by a boxing glove only less so.

Mike.

Dustaz

RIP Jeff Astle

I always felt a bit sorry for him. He got such a hard time after the 70 WC (err, it was 70 wasnt it?) and eventually was reduced to singing 'in the club style' on Fantasy Football. I always sorta liked him:)

saik

apparently he's a big gay icon
/evil

Kone

poor b*stard!

Pigman

Originally posted by saik
apparently he's a big gay icon

Explains why Frank Skinner was such a big fan then.