Full circle as Jeff Brown presents Sports Journalism degree to the student he inspired as a little boy
“From Jeff visiting my school 11 years ago to him now being involved on my graduation day feels very special.”
It was a full circle moment for University of Sunderland graduate Finlay Anderson who was inspired to get into journalism after a visit to his primary school by broadcaster Jeff Brown, with the former Look North presenter reuniting with the 21-year-old to present him with his degree in Sports Journalism.
Finlay’s passion for sports reporting began during primary school where he began writing Sunderland match reports. Noticing his talent, the headteacher arranged for Jeff to meet Finlay, who was just 10 years old at the time.
Recalling that moment in 2015, Finlay 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.”
Jeff began his career in journalism as a sports reporter with the Sunderland Echo.
Last week, in his role as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, Jeff was reunited with Finlay on stage at the Fire Station as part of the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.
Finlay, who is from Sunderland, 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.
“He helped me massively in the early years; whether it was help with match reports to career advice, nothing was ever too much trouble for him. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
Jeff is widely recognised for his longstanding role as presenter of the BBC regional news programme Look North, which he left in 2024 after 21 years to work on independent media projects.
Jeff, who grew up in Sunderland, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University in 2010 in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to sports journalism and broadcasting”.
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.
“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."
Finlay also praised the University’s Sports Journalism course.
He said: “The degree has been invaluable and 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.
“I read the University’s Sports Journalism degree here was one of the best in the country – and it’s lived up to every expectation.”
During his studies, Finlay worked alongside journalists in the press boxes at Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United.