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Sporting Witness: When West Brom went to China

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When West Brom went to China

02/12/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, When West Brom went to China

In 1978, West Bromwich Albion became British ambassadors in China.

In 1978, West Brom were invited to play five exhibition matches in China to improve relations with the West.

In 1978, first division football side West Bromwich Albion became the first professional British club to visit communist China.  

The visit came as the communist country wanted to improve relations with the West after the death of Chairman Mao Zedong. 

The team played five exhibition matches, including one against the Chinese national team in Beijing in front a crowd of 90,000 people.  

Alex Last spoke to West Brom legend, Brendon Batson, about his memories of the historic tour.  

(Photo: The team sightseeing at the Great Wall of China. Credit: BBC)

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