Former footballer scored honorary title

By Rob Kelly

07 Jul 2025

Clarke Carlisle

A former Premier League footballer and mental health champion has been recognised with a special award by his hometown University.

Clarke Carlisle, who played nearly 550 professional games during his 17-year career accepted an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Lancashire.

 The central defender, who played for teams including Preston North End, Burnley and Blackpool, was recognised for the significant contribution he has made to football and mental health awareness.

 The Prestonian said: “It’s an absolute privilege to receive this Honorary Fellowship from the University of Lancashire because the work that I do, whether in my past career in football or my current work supporting people and sharing my mental health experiences, I don’t do it for accolades.

 “I do it because football was a passion and now helping people with mental health is a passion and I hope my mess becomes my message to supporting them.

"It’s such a privilege but as much as I like to be altruistic and consider others, everyone needs their own ego stroking every now and then.”

Clarke made his debut for Blackpool, before moving to Queens Park Rangers.

He then had spells at Leeds United, Watford and Luton before joining Burnley. He had spells at Preston North End and York City before finishing his career at Northampton Town.

 His career saw him appear in the top four leagues in England, he scored 39 goals, won promotion three times, played at the prestigious Wembley and Millennium Stadiums and was an FA Cup and League Cup semi-finalist.

Clarke also had the privilege of representing his country, winning three caps for the England under-21s.

He was chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association and an ambassador for the Kick it Out campaign, which focused on eradicating racism and homophobia in football. He is also known as football

Following his retirement, he became a co-commentator and pundit, presenting two acclaimed BBC documentaries and, just recently, another film on mental health for Sky and the Premier League.

His challenges with mental health are well documented and he is now using his own experiences in his role as business development manager for Gordon Moody, a gambling harms charity that services the UK and beyond.

Clarke also works closely with the university. He has delivered presentations to students about his mental health struggles, helped create a local plan for mental health prevention and co-wrote the Collaborative Health and Mind Programme, which is targeted at sports teams, performers as well as businesses.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC Inspired logo

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC

19 Aug 2025

2

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal Trutex images

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal

19 Aug 2025

3

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar Safran Nacelles

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar

19 Aug 2025

4

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista Fettlers Wharf Marina

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista

18 Aug 2025

5

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone Danny Pinkus Cllr Mark Smith and Robert Pinkus at Phase Two Of Enterprise Court

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone

15 Aug 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin