Bolton Wanderers’ club chaplain Phil Mason recently received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton in recognition of his outstanding services to the local community.
A man who also heads up the Whites’ charity arm in the form of the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, Phil received his award at a special graduation ceremony last Friday afternoon.
Born in Preston and educated at Tulketh High School, he went on to read Theology at Westminster College Oxford and later Social and Pastoral Theology at Manchester University whilst training for the Methodist Ministry.
He was heavily influenced by his studies, recognising the need for a theology to engage in society and offer a practical application that was striving to make a difference and to serve community.
In 2003, he was invited to serve as the chaplain at Bolton Wanderers and was made the first full time chaplain in the Football League in 2011.
He continues in that role to this day alongside his role in the Trust.
During his time in Bolton, Phil has been involved in developing a number of charities and community groups for young people, those with disabilities, mental health issues and on the margins including asylum seekers and refugees.
He is meanwhile the Chair of the Bolton Christian Community Cohesion that includes the development of Town Centre Chaplaincy alongside acting as the Chair of the Voluntary and Community Sector forum and Vice Chair of Bolton Community and Voluntary Services.
He is also a representative of the sector on the Bolton Vision partnership and is the chair of the new Strategic sports partnership.
Outside of Bolton, Phil serves as a Trustee in a growing primary school multi Academy Trust in the North West, is a strategic coordinator with Sports Chaplaincy UK and sits on the advisory group for the English Football League Trust.
Everybody here at Bolton Wanderers would like to congratulate Phil on receiving this honour.