Steven Gerrard receives his honour from JMU

England and Liverpool football star Steven Gerrard collected a university honorary fellowship today and said he wouldn’t have got the award if it wasn’t for his team-mates.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who was awarded the MBE last year, also received a cheer from students graduating at the same ceremony today when he congratulated them and said the day belonged to them.

The accolade was awarded by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to mark the Anfield club captain’s contribution to sport.

Speaking at the city’s Anglican Cathedral, Gerrard said: “I’m privileged to be standing here today but this wouldn’t have been possible without my team-mates at Liverpool Football Club - so a big thank you to them.”

He also thanked LJMU for the accolade and said: “I’m proud to come from this city. I do my best for the city, both on and off the pitch, and I’ll keep on doing this.”

Gerrard also said he had achieved his Honorary Fellowship thanks to the help of players, coaches, Liverpool Football Club and his family, who had been with him from day one.

Songwriter Richard Stilgoe also received an Honorary Fellowship during the same graduation ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contribution to musical theatre and his support for educating the young through performance art.

Mr Stilgoe, showing his characteristic wit and humour, said he reserved special congratulations for “all the young ladies who made it across the platform in shoes less than 12 hours old”.

Speaking earlier this week, Liverpool John Moores University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Brown said: “Steven epitomises the university philosophy of ’dream, plan, achieve’.

“As a young boy he excelled in the sport he loves and ensured his talent was recognised, looking upon challenges as opportunities and pursuing each available avenue.

“As a result he has become one of the best sportsmen in the country, if not the world, with a reputation for integrity both on and off the pitch.

“As a prominent sporting figure and a son of the city, it is fitting that LJMU, an international leader in sports and exercise science and a major contributor to Liverpool’s success and growth, should award Steven with this Honorary Fellowship.

“We are delighted to welcome him into the university family.”