Welsh football legend and broadcaster Robbie Savage says he will be “humbled” to accept an honorary fellowship from Glyndŵr University.
The former Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers star, now a regular pundit on Match of the Day and BBC Radio 5 Live, is to be honoured for Services to Sport.
Born and raised in Wrexham, Robbie is a lifelong Dragons supporter and looks forward to visiting the institution to receive the fellowship during graduation season in October.
“I am very thankful to be offered this honorary fellowship from Glyndŵr University and accept this accolade wholeheartedly. To be recognised for my Services to Sport is a wonderful surprise,” said Robbie.
“Football has always been my life, my focus and inspiration. It continues to be my passion. I am so grateful to have been able to work in the sports arena and to have such an engaging career.
“I may be the ‘Mr Marmite’ of football but I have remained determined, direct and given blood, sweat and tears for the game I love.”
The graduation ceremony will coincide with Robbie’s 40th birthday celebrations.
Born in October 1974, Robbie joined Manchester United as a trainee in the famed youth team of 1992.
He played for six clubs and represented Wales 39 times.
After 17 years and 631 appearances, the all-action midfielder announced his retirement in 2011, to concentrate on his growing media career.
His media highlights include Radio 5 Live’s 606 phone-in, frequent appearances on Match of the Day, taking to the dance floor for the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing and entering the bizarre world of Celebrity Juice.
In 2012, Robbie helped John Bishop on a leg of his Sport Relief ‘Week of Hell’, when the comedian cycled, rowed and ran over 290 miles from Paris to London.
Earlier this year, Robbie took on his own Sports Relief challenge, battling Alan Shearer to be the first to sit on 45,000 seats at Wembley stadium.
A family man, Robbie has two sons with wife Sarah and says he looks back on his football career with “many fond memories”.
He added: “I would like to acknowledge the love and support of my family: my wife, my boys, my big brother and my mum and dad – who is my hero – who have been with me on my continued sports career and remained constant.
“Once again, I am extremely grateful and feel very humble in being chosen for such an accolade by the University.”
Glyndŵr University Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott, is delighted that Robbie chose to accept the fellowship and says he was a “very popular” choice.
“Robbie Savage is Wrexham through and through so we are thrilled that he will be accepting this honour,” said Prof Scott.
“He has done so much for sport, but also for charity, and is now carving out a successful career as a broadcaster.
“We are very proud that he will be joining us here at the University in October; everyone is looking forwarding to seeing him receive the accolade as he was a very popular choice.”
Among the other fellows to be honoured at this year’s graduation ceremonies are Mario Kreft MBE, owner of Pendine Park care organisation, NU Instruments’ managing director, Alan McCall, and Tim Baker, Artistic Director of Clwyd Theatr Cymru Theatre for Young People in Mold.
For more information, visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk
