A NORTH-East footballing legend will be honoured by the university in the city where he is still revered.

Striker Kevin Phillips will return to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday (December 5) to receive an Honouring Fellowship from the Sunderland University in recognition of his outstanding 20-year career and his standing as a role model.

The Hitchin-born former Black Cats striker, known to Sunderland fans as Super Kev, will be joined by around 1,000 students who will also be receiving awards at the Stadium.

Mr Phillips spent six seasons with Sunderland. In 2000 he won the coveted Golden Boot, was named the Premier League Player of the Season and received a call-up to the England squad.

Following Sunderland’s relegation in 2003 he left for Southampton before joining Aston Villa in June 2005.

Between 2005 and June this year, when he hung up his boots, he played for a further six clubs.

His career record reads played 665, scored 287, which makes him one of English football’s best strikers

University Vice-Chancellor Shirley Atkinson said: “It’s a great honour to welcome Kevin back to Sunderland to award him an Honorary Fellowship.

“He is held in such high esteem by everyone associated with Sunderland Football Club.

“He is such a great example to our graduates of someone who believed in his own ability and was determined to achieve his goal in life, despite the challenges before him.”

A total of 973 students will graduate at five ceremonies at the Stadium this week.