HEARTBROKEN Laraine Astle is still awaiting closure after the shock death of her West Bromwich Albion legend husband Jeff, 10 years ago.

The housewife, who now lives in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, is a true football widow and is still mourning the loss of the player known as The King by devoted Baggies fans.

But, while most supporters remember the England centre-forward’s stunning goals, Laraine is haunted by memories of her husband who “looked and behaved more like a man of 109” than someone who was just 59 when he died.

Hawthorns’ hero Jeff died in January 2002, with a coroner ruling he had suffered serious brain damage caused by repeatedly heading heavy leather balls in the 1960s and 70s.

New US research has underlined that frequently heading a football can lead to brain injury. Doctors have claimed neurological scans have revealed patterns of brain damage similar to that of patients who have suffered concussion.

Laraine, now in her 60s, has continuously sought recognition from soccer’s ruling bodies that Astle was killed by the game he loved.

She and her three daughters have been unsuccessful in a bid to win compensation from the Football Association, but the widow says the new research backs their case.

Laraine said: “I want closure. I know it was heading a football that caused Jeff’s illness.

“One of the country’s leading neuropathologists told us every slice of Jeff’s brain showed signs of trauma and a coroner said he died from industrial disease caused by heading a football. What more proof do you need?

“In my opinion, the FA don’t want to admit it because they don’t want to pay out to the people whose lives were affected by this.

“When Jeff died he had no recollection he ever played football. He knew me but struggled with remembering our daughters’ names. He lived in his own little world and didn’t even recall where he lived.

“I believe the FA should stand up and be counted, stop sweeping it under the carpet and accept their responsibilities.”