Albion legend Brendon Batson receives honorary degree
Albion legend Brendon Batson paid an emotional tribute to his former friends and team-mates as he received an honorary degree.
Famously part of the Three Degrees, the iconic former defender now has a degree of his own after being honoured by the University of Warwick.
Hawthorns great Batson said he was 'flattered' to receive the Honorary Doctor of Letters for services to football.
He shed a tear when discussing the other two members of the Three Degrees.
Batson's recognition comes just days after the first anniversary of Regis' death, which sparked an outpouring of grief in the football world. Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid in 1989.
Together the Three Degrees helped to break down barriers for black footballers at a time when racism was rife in the game and are among Albion's all-time greats.
Batson said there was a tinge of sadness that his former teammates could not be there to see him pick up the honour.
He said: "At times like this, it was only a couple of days ago it was the first anniversary of Cyrille’s passing and it’s still a shock to us, and Cyrille’s loved, I mean we love Cyrille. Not just as a teammate but as a friend we just didn’t realise how loved he is universally.
"Laurie was killed 30 years ago this year in a car crash in Madrid, so I do look back on it and I think, wouldn’t it have been great if we were all together.
"Life’s not like that, we know that. But, I’m a better person for having met them and when I played with them as teammates we were good friends off the pitch as well.
"Laurie was tragically 33, Cyrille was only a year ago and I miss them. I miss them both. They are part of my journey, so I share this with them because they are part of my journey.”
He added: "I’m very honoured and flattered that they think I’m worthy for this reward. I remember seeing my kids graduate many years ago now and I was very nervous watching them get their degrees.
"I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done over the years I’ve been involved in football I’ve been very fortunate so for people to recognise what only what you did as a player but over career is really flattering.”
