SCOTLAND FOOTBALL legend Denis Law yesterday received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from St Andrews University at its annual Saint Andrew’s Day celebration programme.

Still regarded as one of the greatest names ever to have graced a football pitch, he confessed to being “delighted and honoured.” He said, “I am very proud to receive the honour, particularly on Saint Andrew’s Day and in St Andrews, which is something you dream about.

“I was delighted to be approached by the university and only too happy to accept.”

In his laureation address, Professor Philip Winn, dean of science, said, “In the summer, we had a graduation ceremony that readers of the social pages will recognise as one of the highlights of the season.

“People thought themselves fortunate to attend a graduation ceremony at which were present three princes of the realm and Her Majesty the Queen. How much more fortunate we are today—today we are in the presence of a footballer known during his career, and ever since, simply as ‘The King’.”

In honouring the former Scotland and Manchester United striker for his achievements as a sportsman, Professor Winn said, “He is the only Scotsman to be voted European Footballer of the Year, still the record goal-scorer for Scotland and regarded as one of the most gifted Scottish footballers of all time. His recent battle against cancer—which he has made public in order to help others—has only served to remind us of how iconic a player he was.”

He had a successful prostate cancer operation in November 2003 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Aberdeen University earlier this year, soon after his 65th birthday.

Past student rector Sir Clement Freud and the Very Rev Professor Bill Shaw joined him in receiving honorary degrees.

As is traditional, Sir Clement Freud, as outgoing rector, was also given an honorary doctorate.

Professor Shaw is the former principal of St Mary’s College at St Andrews. In his laureation address, students’ association president Alex Yabroff said he was being honoured for his contributions as lord rector of the university and to student welfare.

He said, “His concern for the welfare and activities of students has been appreciated throughout our university community.”

Professor Shaw, who was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, took up a professorial appointment at St Andrews in 1979, but his distinguished career and reputation as an academic theologian, churchman and pastor was already well established by then.