ARSENAL’S first Black player, Brendon Batson, has chronicled his life and times in a new book. Alex Griffiths reviews The Third Degree.

Brendon Batson took up football at 9, signing for Arsenal four years later, then retired before turning 30 to enter sporting politics and produce an inspiring book at 70.

He takes us out onto the snow-strewn pitch as West Brom win 5-3 at Old Trafford with the ‘Three Degrees’ of Batson, Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham in their pomp, even if this was one of only 38 games in which they appeared together. His conflicted thoughts on Ron Atkinson, who managed both clubs, are all here, too. 

He explores the downside of being marketed as a trio, while Sir Lenny Henry chips in with the Supremes as a far more apt sobriquet.

We are also transported into the corridors of power, when, as deputy chief executive of the footballers’ union, he is faced by the dawn of the Premier League and the Bosman wage revolution. 

His stark description of the “distortion” caused by clubs becoming “profit centres” comes with warnings where unchecked power may lead, as well as tales of struggle against prejudice, where he boldly names names.

He reveals the real name of Cyrille Regis, too, but this eloquent tour of highs and lows, personal and professional, never hits harder than in confronting the loss of his partner for life, Cecily.

The Third Degree by Brendon Batson MBE OBE, £19.95 is available now at curtis-sport.com, click: “other publications”