When British Football Went To China
In 1978 West Bromwich Albion became the first professional British football team to visit communist China
A story of banquets, diplomacy and football. In 1978, first division side, West Bromwich Albion became the first professional British football club to visit communist China. The visit came as China began to open up to the West after the power struggle which followed the death of Chairman Mao. Alex Last spoke to West Brom legend, Brendon Batson, about his memories of the historic tour.
Photo: The teams head out onto the field in Beijing for West Brom's first game of the tour. (BBC)
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- Thu 20 Dec 201809:50GMTBBC World Service
- Fri 21 Dec 201800:50GMTBBC World Service
- Sat 22 Dec 201814:50GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- Sun 23 Dec 201815:50GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East Asia & South Asia
- Christmas Eve 201804:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, News Internet & West and Central Africa
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