The FA chairman Greg Dyke and England manager Roy Hodgson helped get the 51st chapter of a famous sporting rivalry off to a bang at the University of York.
The pair were guests of honour at the official opening of Roses 2015, Europe’s largest inter-university sport competition.
The annual weekend-long event sees students from the University of York and University of Lancaster go head-to-head across an array of sports.
Dyke is into his 11th and final year as chancellor of the University of York and invited the Three Lions boss along to ensure his last large student event in the role was a memorable one.
To mark the occasion, BBC Radio 4 broadcaster and York graduate Steve Richards hosted a question and answer session with the duo inside a boxing ring in the university’s Central Hall following the competition’s ‘Friday night fight night’.
In front of 1,000 students and a further 5,000 watching on giant screens around the campus, Hodgson and Dyke entertained the enthusiastic crowd with tales from their long careers.
Afterwards, Hodgson joined Dyke on stage overlooking the university’s large communal piazza to count down to a spectacular fireworks display which signalled the official start of Roses 2015.
The main prize of the Carter/James Trophy, named in honour of the two founding vice-chancellors, is awarded to the winning team at the conclusion of the weekend. York were looking to stretch their overall lead to 26 wins to Lancaster’s 24, with 1974 ending in a draw.
The festival of sport is testament to the £11m investment the University of York has made in facilities since 2012 which has resulted in a 200% growth in participation, an approach that backs up The FA chairman’s desire to further bolster grassroots.
