University News Last updated 23 August 2023
Birmingham City University Sports Journalism Course Director and Lecturer Chris Lepkowski has teamed up with Brendon Batson OBE to pen the football legend’s official autobiography, The Third Degree, which is released next month.
One of football’s true pioneers, Batson reveals in the book how racism shaped and impacted his friendships following his move to England from the West Indies as a nine-year-old in 1962.
Now a respected football administrator, he also reveals his grief at the untimely deaths of wife Cecily and friend and fellow Baggies star Cyrille Regis.
The book will be released on Friday 22 September and includes a foreword from Chancellor Sir Lenny Henry.
Brendon's story includes his journey to England, becoming the first black footballer to play for Arsenal. It also covers tales from his spells with Cambridge United and West Bromwich Albion, his life-long battles against racism, his pursuit of inclusivity, and his career as one of sport's most respected administrators.
During the late 1970s, West Bromwich Albion became the first British football team to regularly field three black players: Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson. They were dubbed The Three Degrees, after the female US vocal group of that period.
The Third Degree can be pre-ordered here.
Pictured: (left to right) Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson at West Bromwich Albion.