Astle laid to rest

30 January 2002

Just got back from Jeff's funeral. It was a moving experience attended by an estimated 500-600, including many Albion fans who had made the 50 mile journey to Netherseal in South Derbyshire. A peaceful and beautiful village made up with a few houses, 2 churches, a couple of pubs and a shop. The police had everything well organised and with limited street parking, stewards were guiding cars and the 2 coaches from Baggies Travel to a field next to a social club on the outskirts of the village.

We arrived at 11.30 for the 1.00pm funeral and already the pubs were full of Albion fans and ex-players - the likes of Asa Hartford and Len Cantello. Derek Doogan was also in the pub we were in. As we approached the church, huge crowds were gathering, including Lee Hughes and Daryl Burgess. There was a lot of press in attendance, along with several TV companies including ITV, BBC and Sky. St. Peters, a wonderful church, was adorned with blue and white tributes and pictures of Jeff, and speakers had been set up outside the church to relay the service to the many hundreds outside in the pouring rain.

A 4 page booklet entitled "A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jeff Astle, 13 May 1942 - 19 January 2002" was handed out to the crowd with the words of the hymns printed inside. After Jeff's coffin was brought into the church, the first hymn, "The Lord's My Shepherd", echoed around the surrounding countryside with Albion fans holding their blue and white scarves in the air whilst singing - our song.

The first tribute was given by Ray Matts, former Albion journalist from the Express and Star. This was followed by great stories and a fitting tribute from Jeff's ex-captain Graham Williams. The second hymn "Abide With Me" was, as it boomed over the speakers, for the goal Jeff scored in the 1968 cup final.

Following prayers, the service was rounded off with "Jerusalem" - rather apt, given the opening line of "And Did Those Feet". The Elvis song "Wonder of You" was played as a final tribute. Jeff's coffin, on leaving the church, was met with a magnificent round of applause which filtered through to the 200 or so who had got into the church where their applause then boomed out over the speakers. As Jeff's coffin was taken past the crowd to the waiting cars "There's only one Jeff Astle" broke the silence. The funeral procession slowly left the village, starting first with a lone police motorcyclist, even though the roads had been closed, and followed by a lady in top hat walking in front of the hearse. The streets were lined with Albion fans who again applauded as Jeff passed by for the very last time. A sad day.

Jeff Astle
R.I.P

 - Karl Taylor

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