THE ELLESMERE Port-educated chief executive of Liverpool FC has been awarded an honorary doctorate of law.
Rick Parry donned a cap and gown to pick up his honour from the University of Liverpool at a ceremony in the city’s Philharmonic Hall.
After spending his early years at Ellesmere Port Grammar School, the football executive went on to graduate with a maths degree from the university in 1976.
Mr Parry, 53, has had a varied and successful career since his first job as a trainee chartered accountant in 1976.
He was instrumental in planning the new Premier League and was appointed its chief executive in February, 1992.
His plans for the league were ratified seven days later by the FA, allowing Mr Parry to negotiate a television deal then worth a record £214m.
He oversaw the development of the league into the international hotbed it is today, developing top stadiums and attracting worldwide football stars.
A Liverpool fan, he was appointed chief executive of the club in July, 1998
Mr Parry came under fire earlier this year from American LFC co-owner Tom Hicks, who called on him to resign for under-performing, but the chief executive said he loves Liverpool and sees his future with the club.
He said: “I’m looking forward to working with Rafael (Benitez) and helping improve on last season’s result.
“Our standards are very high, as is the standard our fans demand. Winning the league, that’s the prize we’re all striving for.”
He added: “I have very fond memories of Liverpool University and I’ve seen it from both sides, seeing all the new graduates outside I can recognise what they’ve been through.
“It’s a great honour being given the degree from the university I attended in the best city in the world.”
In response to critics of “overpaid” Premier League footballers and fans priced out by rising ticket prices, Mr Parry said football had to move with the times.
He said: “I remember years ago people wanted football to stop, to keep everything as it was then, but it has to keep moving forward. ”
