SYNOPSIS

Jeff Astle will always be one of West Bromwich's favourite sons, even though he only lived in the town for ten years. To anybody growing up there thirty or forty years ago, as I did, the name Astle was synonymous with West Bromwich. He was the most famous person connected with the town; amongst Albion supporters he was revered in a way that modern footballers never will be. If you went to see the Albion and Jeff was missing from the side, as he was too often near the end of his time at The Hawthorns, you felt cheated, because Jeff was West Bromwich Albion for more than a decade. For six or seven years, the entire pattern of play of the first team was organised around Jeff, because of his unique heading ability. A truly great player, and a great man off the pitch. This is Jeff's story; we will not see his like again.
Glenn Willmore

Jeff Astle was an ordinary bloke with a great talent. He scored the winning goal in an FA Cup Final and played for England in the World Cup. He was brilliant in the air - but he always kept his feet firmly on the ground. Despite his fame and the adulation he received, I think he always realised how lucky he was, playing the game that he loved. He also knew what it was like to be a fan. He knew what West Bromwich Albion means to its supporters.
I idolised him. My own favourite memory of Jeff is the hat-trick he scored against Manchester United, in that fabulous 6-3 win in 1968. That evening, under the Hawthorns floodlights he was majestic. I shall never forget it.
Jeff's ultimate gift was his rapport with the fans. He always had time for us - he never forgot us, and loved us as much as well all loved him. This book tells the story of his life. When you have read it you will know why Jeff Astle always was, and always will be, The King.
For my Dad, who turned me into a fanatic
John Joseph Homer