Sunderland sports journalism graduate reunited with Jeff Brown

Finlay Anderson, 21, graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in sports journalism and was congratulated on stage by broadcaster and university Pro-Chancellor Jeff Brown during the ceremony.

Mr Brown, best known for his long career as presenter of BBC Look North, first met Mr Anderson in 2015 when he visited Broadway Junior School after being contacted by the headteacher, who had noticed the then-10-year-old’s match reports about Sunderland AFC.

Finlay Anderson and Jeff Brown at the University of Sunderland’s summer graduation ceremonies, The Fire Station (Image: Sunderland University)

Mr Anderson, of Sunderland, said: "I was young, so to see someone from TV come into my school was mind-blowing.

"Jeff was really friendly and encouraging through providing advice and tips to help me develop as a sports journalist – and ever since then, we’ve stayed in touch as I progressed through my GCSEs, A-Levels and now finishing my degree."

The duo were reunited at The Fire Station in Sunderland city centre during one of the university’s summer graduation ceremonies, held between July 6 and July 10.

Finlay on a SAFC junior reporter day in 2018 (Image: Sunderland AFC)

Mr Anderson said: "It feels like a full circle moment.

"From Jeff visiting my school 11 years ago to him now being involved on my graduation day feels very special."

Mr Brown said he was struck by Mr Anderson’s early work, seeing parallels with his own childhood.

He said: "When Finlay’s primary school head sent me the match reports he’d been writing it really struck a chord – because I’d done something similar at that age, back in the early 1970s.

Finlay on a SAFC junior reporter day in 2018 (Image: Sunderland AFC)

"I was lucky enough, as a youngster, to receive encouragement from well-respected journalists like Doug Weatherall of the Daily Mail, so I thought it would be nice to pop into Broadway Junior School and tell Finlay how much I enjoyed his work.

"Over the years we’ve kept in touch, and it’s been a real thrill to see him taking his place in the Stadium of Light press box.

"I’m so proud to be involved in his graduation ceremony and I can’t wait to see what he does in the future."

Mr Anderson praised the university’s sports journalism course, which he said helped him achieve his Gold Standard NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and gain hands-on experience in the industry.

He said: "The degree has been invaluable.

"It provided opportunities to be in the field as a sports reporter, while helping me to achieve my Gold Standard NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) Diploma in Journalism.

"There has also been a range of modules that have adapted to the changing sports media industry which has helped to improve my employability after graduation."

During his studies, Mr Anderson worked alongside journalists in the press boxes at Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United, and volunteered as an Academy Media Intern at Sunderland AFC, covering all Men’s Under-18 and Under-21 fixtures, as well as assisting with Men’s and Women’s First Team matches.

He also co-edited SportsByte, the university’s sports news platform, and was named SportsByte Reporter of the Year in 2024.

Neil Farrington, senior lecturer in sports journalism at the University of Sunderland, said: "Finlay has been a joy to teach and is an outstanding example of a student who has taken all the opportunities offered by the degree programme – including those beyond the classroom – to develop and broaden his skills, gain real-world experience and build up a superb portfolio of published work."

For more information on studying sports journalism at the University of Sunderland, visit: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/undergraduate/ba-hons-sports-journalism?option=741c005d-38f3-4c7d-963d-ad567e9182c7.