Chancellor, I present to you for
the Principals Award for outstanding service to the community.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust.
Denis Law will be a familiar name to many here today,
and we are delighted he is here to receive this award
alongside Graham Thom, chairman of the Denis
Law Legacy Trust.
Dennis grew up in Aberdeen's Woodside and began his football
career at Kittybrewster Primary School before
moving to Powis Junior School.
His talents were soon spotted
and, at the age of 15, he joined the professional
ranks at Huddersfield Town.
His career then took him first to Manchester City, then to Italy,
where he signed for Torino setting a new British record
transfer fee before returning to Manchester,
but this time to Manchester United.
He became a pivotal part of the hugely successful side
of the 1960s that would win two championships
and of course, become the first English side to win
the European Cup in 1968.
In his 11 years at Manchester United.
Dennis made 404 appearances and
scored 237 goals
and was known simply as "The King" by those
who filled the Stretford End.
In 1964, his standing was affirmed
when he won the coveted European Player of the Year award.
The only Scot ever to have been awarded this honour.
For Scotland, he would go on to score 30 goals
in 55 matches, making him,
with Kenny Dalglish, Scotland's record goalscorer.
In 2005, Dennis received an honorary
degree from this university for his determination
to succeed professionalism and dedication
to be the best throughout his career.
Dennis would later remark "sport played a very
important part of my childhood and I firmly
believe that the experiences and enjoyment that kids
get from physical activity will stay with them forever."
The Denis Law Legacy Trust was established to deliver this vision
across the Northeast of Scotland, particularly supporting
those in need from deprived areas in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The Trust is a registered charity that delivers free programmes
and positive destination activities which enable
young people to take part in, and gain access to,
sport and other creative activities.
It supports and empowers them to be confident,
capable, independent and responsible
citizens within their own communities.
Through its work, the trust aims to reduce instances of youth
crime and anti-social behaviour,
promote health and wellbeing through sport, physical
activity and creative endeavor.
Its activities currently engage more than 18000 participations
per year across a range of age groups
and include a wide variety of opportunities that help to
contribute to healthier and safer local communities.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust
has also championed the creation of two multi-purpose
community sports facilities in Aberdeen in partnership
with the Johan Cruyff Foundation and Aberdeen City Council.
They are both proved very popular in their communities and
will be of great benefit to young people in the city for years to come.
Chancellor, in recognition of the invaluable
work they carry out is my great honour
and privilege to invite you to award Mr.
Denis Law CBE and Mr.
Graham Thom on behalf of the Denis Law Legacy Trust
with the Principal's Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust is a charity based up in Aberdeen.
They do a lot work for children all across areas of disadvantage that need the help most.
We provide free sporting opportunities
in the hope that we can use sport as a hook to get kids engaged,
inspired, inspired to do new careers.
We work with our partners and sponsors to get them an experience of working
on these careers and hopefully, get lots more young people in Aberdeen
in the areas that need it the most moving into work, employment or further studies.
But it's lovely to come back home to my hometown.
I still call Aberdeen home, although I
live in Manchester, but to get an award like that
is just fantastic.
And what the guys have
been doing behind the scenes, you know, getting
the pitches ready for these young kids
and they're enjoying it and they don't have to pay any money.
And so really fantastic
that the university gives an award for that.
Fantastic day. Even the weather stayed nice.
You know, a great day for all involved.
Dennis is still the character, still
still very much knows his stuff.
Fantastic for the community.
Stone's throw away from where he was born as well.
So it's great for him to come back here and receive this award on behalf of the Denis Law Legacy Trust.