Sir Lenny – WBA's legendary Three Degrees 'should have been called The Supremes'

Sir Lenny Henry has penned a personal tribute to the surviving member of West Bromwich Albion's Three Degrees - Brendon Batson.

Plus

By Adam Smith

Published Sep 20, 2023

Last updated Sep 20, 2023

The comic was pleased to write the forward for Brendon's new book - The Third Degree. However, the Dudley-born Albion fan believes Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Batson should have been christened The Supremes.

Tony Godden, Alistair Robertson, Brendon Batson, John Osborne and Bryan Robson listen to a draw in 1978 when the team had to play Ipswich

Sir Lenny wrote: "1978. What a time it was to support West Bromwich Albion. They were such a good team.

"There was something about three young, handsome and fit men of colour that captured the fans’ imagination.

"They were christened the Three Degrees, for obvious reasons – because there were three of them and they were black, just like the girl group. Mind you I’ve never understood this logic: I would have called them The Supremes, which seems more apt."

Flashback to the team in February 1981 just before a match with Liverpool. The line-up is Ally Brown, Brendon Batson, Martyn Bennett, Tony Godden, Cyrille Regis, Remi Moses, Peter Barnes, (front): Gary Owen, John Wile, Bryan Robson, Derek Statham and John Deehan