"He was just there to watch the club he loves" - 10-year-old great-grandson of West Bromwich Albion legend Jeff Astle hit by coin at Fratton Park
Three generations of the Astle family gathered in the away end at Fratton Park to cheer on West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, January 31.
When the half time whistle blew, Dawn and George, 10, headed towards the concourse when an object struck George in the head. Dawn only realised something was amiss when she heard George cry out with a boy next to them spotting that it was a 50p coin.
She said: “It’s the most ridiculous irresponsible thing. I get rivalry, I have been going to football long enough, but there was no rivalry, Pompey were winning two nil. It shouldn’t but it tars all supporters and I feel sorry for them.
“Every club has its idiots but it was such an irresponsible thing to do. It just happened to happen to my grandson who wouldn’t harm a fly. He was just there to watch his club that he loves.”
Following the incident, Dawn took a shocked and “frightened” George to a steward to report the incident. While George seemed okay, as the second half kicked off a lump came up where he had been hit. They took him to a first aid point where he was given a cold compress to help with the swelling.
Dawn, who set up the Jeff Astle Foundation and was awarded an MBE for services to footballers with dementia last year, said: “My priority was keeping him calm but as his grandma I couldn't believe that he was having to watch the second half with a cold compress on his head, I just thought ‘what on earth’. The more I stood there, the more angry I got, it could have blinded him.”
George has been a season ticket holder at The Hawthorns for a number of years but has only been accompanying the family on away games for the past two seasons.
The Fratton Park fixture last season was one of his first away trips, with a 0-3 away win making it one of his favourite games to have gone to. Dawn is hoping this experience will not have soured George’s desire to keep attending away from home.
She said: “It is bad enough watching West Brom at the best of times so I just hope he wants to keep going. It’s nice that there is three generations supporting the club with me, my son and George. Nobody deserves it but he definitely didnt.”
While it was a traumatic experience, Dawn praised the stewards and safeguarding officer for their kindness and support during the incident. Portsmouth have confirmed an investigation is underway and will push for criminal charges if the perpetrator is identified.
Dawn is hoping the coin thrower will be found. She said: “I hope they are found because there is no place in football for this and certainly no place at football for them. It’s bad enough if anyone is injured but a little kid, it’s outrageous and disgusting.”
Since announcing the incident on X, the football community has expressed its well wishes to Dawn and George, including a number of Pompey fans.
Portsmouth FC has also confirmed it has been in contact with the family and advised the fan will be banned from Fratton Park if identified.
A club spokesperson said: “Portsmouth Football Club are upset and distressed that a 10-year-old boy was struck by a coin during the game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
“The club have been in contact with the boy’s family. An investigation is ongoing and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify the perpetrator, with CCTV footage being provided to the police.
“The club will firmly push for criminal charges to be pressed against anyone who is identified as throwing objects. Club sanctions will also be applied, which will include a ban on attending games at Fratton Park.”