It Was What It Was
Brendon Batson: Football Pioneer and Big Ron Betrayal - Part Two
Published: 11 April 2025 at 05:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Welcome to It Was What It Was for part two of our interview with Brendan Batson, a trailblazer in English football.
Brendon tells Jonathan and Rob about his impactful time at West Bromwich Albion as part of the iconic 'Three Degrees' with Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham.
We discuss his teammates, the tragic losses and his work to combat racism. Brendon also gives us an insight into the personal impact of his former manager Ron Atkinson's notorious comments on live television.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:07 Brendan Batson's Early Career and Challenges
03:00 The China Tour Experience
06:20 The Three Degrees Phenomenon
12:32 Impact and Legacy of Black Players
18:37 Knee Injury and Career Transition
20:10 Coaching Courses and Philosophies
24:24 The Evolution of a Coaching Philosophy
24:42 The One-Size-Fits-All Approach
25:50 Player Welfare and Career Transitions
27:59 Tragic Losses and Their Impact
28:38 The Legacy of Laurie Cunningham
32:33 Racism in Football: A Personal Betrayal
38:20 The Complexity of Racism in Football
41:21 The Fight Against Racism: Past and Present
46:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
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