The FA Chairman Greg Dyke has backed Albion’s plans to dedicate the game against Leicester City in honour of former England striker Jeff Astle.
The Baggies released plans yesterday to honour Astle by reverting back to the strip the club wore when he scored the winning goal in the 1968 FA Cup final, as well revealing plans to launch the Jeff Astle Foundation.
Dyke said he was ‘delighted’ the club had devised the Astle Day on 11 April 2015 to remember their ‘great hero’.
“I know a few West Brom fans and I know how much Jeff meant to them and with how much regard they still hold him – you only need to see the reaction to the Justice for Jeff campaign to understand that,” he said.
“I think the Astle family’s dedication to their father and husband is inspiring and the idea of an Astle Foundation is important.
The former Brentford chairman also outlined plans the Football Association is undertaking to support the Astle Foundation.
“I know we at The FA are now progressing positively with an expert panel to look at head injuries and we remain committed to ensuring the notion of research in this important area of sports medicine is taken to the highest levels at UEFA and FIFA.”