Ipswich Town boss McKenna awarded honorary degree

Kieran McKenna says Suffolk has become special to him and his family and getting the award was an "incredible honour"

Ipswich Town's manager Kieran McKenna, who helped the club secure back-to-back promotions, is to be celebrated with an honorary degree by the University of Suffolk.

The Tractor Boys boss oversaw the club's promotion from League One back to the Premier League after 22 years.

He is one of five people to be awarded the degrees at graduation ceremonies in October.

McKenna said the recognition was an "incredible honour".

"To receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Suffolk is a proud moment for both me and my family," he said.

McKenna celebrates Premiership promotion with Ipswich Town in May

"Suffolk has become a special place for us since we moved here nearly three years ago and to now receive a gesture like this from an institution so central to life in the county is an incredible honour," he added.

“We are proud of everything we have been able to achieve at the football club over the last few years and underpinning our successes has been a strong culture, built on the hard work of so many people and continued learning.

“To have been able to bring joy to so many people in Ipswich and Suffolk over the course of the last two seasons has been extremely rewarding, with the celebrations following both of our promotions showing the strong sense of community surrounding the club, which we are proud to be a part of.”

Also being honoured are Boshor Ali, a founder member and subsequently chair of BSC Multicultural Services; Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, who was President of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology from 2011 to 2019; swimmer Michael Read MBE, who has completed 33 Channel swims - and Prof David Croisdale-Appleby OBE, chair of Healthwatch England and of the Royal College of Physicians.