Footballing legend awarded honorary degree

Former Saints FC and England footballer, Matt Le Tissier was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Sport from Solent University on Friday 14 July 2017. 

An attacking midfielder with exceptional technical skills, Matt is the second-highest ever scorer for Southampton FC and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990.  

He was also the first midfielder to score 100 goals in the Premier League and is notable for his record at scoring penalty kicks - converting from the spot 47 times from 48 attempts. 

Matt has had a longstanding relationship with Solent University and regularly visits to speak to students and attend events. 

On receiving his honorary degree, Matt said: "I’d like to thank Solent University for bestowing this honour on me. I feel quite proud, it’s a lovely gesture, one which I thought growing up I would never get. 

“It’s been fantastic for me as someone who is very proud of Southampton; it’s a place I have grown to love very much, and is where I now call home too, so to see the University grow to what it has done in such a short space of time, I think everybody connected with Solent University should be very, very proud of what they’ve done thus far.”

Remaining at Saints FC for his entire professional career - his loyalty garnering special affection from Southampton fans who nicknamed him ‘Le God’ - Matt is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in the history of the club and one of the most skilful players ever to play in the Premier League.  

Since retiring from professional football, Matt is regularly on television as part of the commentating team on Sky’s Soccer Saturday. He is also involved in local, regional and national charitable activities, including roles with Sparks, Men United and Cancer Research UK. 

Matt’s message to Solent’s graduation students: “Congratulations first and foremost, as a lot of hard work goes in to getting where you are today. Go follow your dreams, that’s what I did when I was a kid; it didn’t mean me going to university and graduating, but it meant me finding a job that I loved and one that I enjoyed, and if you can do that in your life, if you can find something that’s a passion and make it your living, then you’re winning at life.”