Footballer's family upset at mural vandalism

The niece of an England football player who died suddenly of polio in the 1950s says vandalism of a mural of him is "upsetting" to his legacy.

Emma Miller's uncle Jeff Hall played for Birmingham City and she said seeing a moustache drawn on the street art of her uncle in Digbeth was "not funny", adding "whoever did it must not know what he achieved".

Hall, born in 1929, joined the Blues in 1950 and went on to play for England before his death from polio aged 29, which shocked the nation.

"Whether the person knew who he was and what he stood for it is upsetting; I don't think they understand what they've done," Miller said.

"His actual legacy and to die from something is so tragic [it isn't] funny."

The mural was defaced at some point in the past few days, according to those in the area.

Hall saved his teammates from the disease by not traveling with them, his family claimed and they went on to advocate for the polio vaccine.

"He made the best decision he ever could by being so selfless," his niece said.

Miller is calling for the artwork to be restored.

"The mural includes his phrase 'one last push', reflecting that he was a fighter. He had such flare and charisma," she added.

In March 1959, after a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, Hall complained he was feeling unwell and a few days later he was in hospital, diagnosed with polio.

"My uncle was always thinking of others; by refusing to get on that coach with his team because he was cautious thinking if it is cold, he could spread it," his niece said.

"Within 12 days he died."

Hall's widow, Dawn, dedicated herself to raising awareness about the dangers of the disease.

"My grieving aunt and grieving grandmother went to the press and urged people to take the vaccine," Miller added.

Soon after his sudden passing, the Birmingham City football team got vaccinated and so began a city-wide effort to immunise the people of Birmingham.

"Birmingham did what Birmingham did best and I'm so proud, people were going to pop-up clinics all over the city," his niece said.

"The uptake was so impressive, that they ran out."

The city council has been approached for a response over the vandalism.

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