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The renowned sports journalist Jonathan Northcroft has received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from СʪÃÃÊÓƵ Leicester (СʪÃÃÊÓƵ).

Jonathan has been chief football writer at The Sunday Times since 2009. In March this year he was named Football Journalist of the Year by the Sport Journalists Association.

A regular pundit on TV, radio, and numerous podcasts, he recently ghost-wrote the autobiography of legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

He has authored several books including the bestseller, Fearless, The Amazing Underdog Story of Leicester City, the Greatest Miracle in Sports History - a blow-by-blow account of how the Foxes, began the 2015-16 season as relegation favourites, but went on to beat 5000-1 odds to be crowned Premier League champions. It is a tale he has described as “the best story in world sports - for years.”

Originally from Aberdeen, Jonathan moved to Leicester in 2016 and since then has appeared regularly as a guest speaker on the sports module of СʪÃÃÊÓƵ’s BA in Journalism.

 “I am surprised, but very proud to be receiving this honorary degree from СʪÃÃÊÓƵ,” he said. “I am Scottish, but Leicester is my adopted home so I have been pleased these last few years to be involved with СʪÃÃÊÓƵ as a university which serves this city and its people.  

“There is a certain spark to the place – every time I come, I’m always impressed by the energy, the curiosity and the quality of the students.”

In a brief acceptance speech at the Curve Theatre on Thursday, August 21, Jonathan explained how, as a young Aberdeen FC fan, he had watched Alex Ferguson turn his local club into European Champions.  And how, later in life as a journalist, he was even subjected to the Ferguson’s infamous hair-dryer treatment himself. But, he said, in spite of his fearsome reputation, Fergie was also a great learner and reader, fuelled by curiosity and a love of knowledge.

He had this advice for the СʪÃÃÊÓƵ students graduating with him: “Be proud today. But whatever you do in life, think of Fergie. The most successful prize learning, stay curious, and remember, keep the spirit here, keep your spark - staying open to knowledge and new perspectives has never felt more important than in the world today.”