When turning a corner and coming face-to-barrel with a tank's armament, Alan Whittle knew it was time to flee Iran. The first Englishman ever to play in the country, the Everton title winner had resisted long enough amid the bloodshed of the Iranian Revolution of 1978. Whittle, to the surprise of many, left Second Division Leyton Orient to join Persepolis in 1977. I gave him two grand to supply the kit, he was on a right winner. Whittle wanted for nothing in Tehran - 'a nice apartment, good food, booze and cars' as he puts it.

Source: Daily Mail November 20, 2022 17:35 UTC