A former England striker died from a brain injury sustained by the prolonged heading of a football, a coroner ruled yesterday.

Football bosses were last night reflecting on the impact the verdict may have on the game following the inquest into the death of Jeff Astle, whose trademark was his powerful headed goals.

The South Staffordshire Coroner, Andrew Haigh, ruled that the former West Bromwich Albion centre forward died from a degenerative brain disease caused by the constant heading of a heavy, and often wet, leather football.

West Brom managing director Brendon Batson said: "There is a wide implication for football. What that implication will be remains to be seen." He declined to comment on whether the Astle family would have grounds to seek compensation.

Football manufacturers said it was unlikely that the death of Jeff Astle would be repeated among today's players because the heavy leather balls had been replaced with lighter synthetic types.

But health experts said implications of the coroner's verdict were "huge".

Astle, who played for England five times, died in January, aged 59, after collapsing at his daughter's home.

Dr Derek Robson, a consultant neurological pathologist, said there was evidence of brain injury consistent with "repeated minor trauma"