This is an official Mexico 1970 World Cup which has been signed by West Bromwich Albion legend Jeff Astle.
He played 292 games for the Baggies from 1964 – 74, scoring 137 goals in the process. He also made 5 appearances for England – his first as a substitute against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup, when England were a goal down. Many supporters remember him missing a relatively easy chance which could have swung the momentum of that game back in England’s favour.
A renowned header of the ball, he died at the age of 59 from a degenerative brain disease, which the coroner confirmed was probably caused from all these minor impacts during his career. This was not the first time that a football of note had died from something that could be connected to the heading of a ball – one noteable name being Danny Blanchflower of Tottenham Hotspur.
Still fondly remembered by Albion fans, the Astle gates are seen by many who visit the Hawthorns ground.
