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England footballing legend Sir Geoff Hurst conferred with honorary degree by UEL

Wednesday 17 November 2010

 

Hailed as a football legend and a national sporting hero, Sir Geoff – who received an honorary Master of the Arts - puts his ongoing success down to hard work, focus and family.

It was in 1966 when Sir Geoff won international fame by scoring three goals in a World Cup final. This momentous feat has never been repeated.

His goals secured England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley, the only time the ‘three lions’ have lifted football’s top prize. Amazingly, Sir Geoff achieved his feat just five months into his international career, and he went on to deliver a further 24 goals for England in later games.

In 1964 Sir Geoff scored the second goal of a 3-2 victory for West Ham United over Preston North End in the FA Cup Final. From there he went on to play for the team 500 times, scoring 250 goals in the process.

Sir Geoff said: "It is a great honour to be recognised in this way by the University of East London, and I am tremendously proud to have had this award conferred upon me.  Many of you will be familiar with my long-standing connections to the local area.

"However, rather than looking back, I believe it’s time to look forward. I understand the University of East London is aiming to become London’s number one university for sport. A brand new £20m sports centre is to open at the university’s Docklands campus in 2012, a centre so advanced that it will house the American Olympic team during the games.

"Clearly the long term benefits will lie with the students and the local community. I am well aware of the importance of sport to east London, and I am also aware of the number of fantastic sportsmen and women the area has produced down the years.

"I therefore think it is a fitting that that the University of East London is rising to meet the challenge of ensuring that sporting excellence is kept firmly on the map. I sincerely hope today will mark the first step in an on-going relationship between myself and UEL."

UEL Vice-Chancellor Patrick McGhee said: “We are extremely proud to be honouring one of England’s greatest sporting heroes. Sir Geoff is an iconic figure who will always have a unique place in football history. However, he is also someone who has selflessly dedicated much of time since professional football to supporting children’s charities.

 "He is the current President of  Sparks, which was founded by sports people and funds high quality medical research that is intended to have a practical and positive effect on the lives of less fortunate children. He has also been a leading light in the development of football at grass roots.

"UEL aims to offer all students the very best sporting environment possible to develop their talents. Honouring Sir Geoff as one of the nation’s sporting greats, as a role model for our current and future students, is a natural extension of that commitment."

During the course of his career Sir Geoff scored a total of 314 goals and was recognised for this overall outstanding contribution in 1975 when he received an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

In 1998 Sir Geoff became one of few footballers to be knighted, and four years later he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum.

His passion for sport continues in his role as a Director of Football and Sports Ambassador for McDonalds, leading a grassroots football campaign to develop 20,000 coaches and working with 5-11 year-olds across the country.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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