UCFB launched its first Alumni networking event on Thursday last week, bringing together graduates from around the world to share their experiences of employment and career development.

Held at the UCFB Wembley campus Study Hub, the packed event saw cohort representatives from 2014-18 enjoy an evening which was open to both undergraduate and masters graduates.

Attendees included former Burnley, Wembley and Etihad Campus students, with some travelling from as far as India to be at the event.

The UCFB Alumni Evening included insights from leaders within the sports industry who attended as special guests including Michael Tattersall, CEO of the Vanarama National League, Deji Akande, Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager at Mongoose Sports & Entertainment (whose clients include Ricoh Arena and the Harlem Globetrotters), and Jerome Quartey, Marketing Manager at Nielsen Sports.

Event host Anthony Grimes, the UCFB Alumni Manager, said: “I’m proud to have organised UCFB’s first ever Alumni Event. It has been eagerly anticipated and it was no surprise to see such a strong turnout.

“It was great to see graduates attending from as far back as our 2014 cohort and I think it’s amazing that we had alumni travelling from overseas to be there. I’m excited to say that this will be the first Alumni event of many and I hope that attendees found the inaugural edition as inspiring and productive as I did.”

Many of the attendees then walked over to the stadium for the England vs USA friendly match – with complimentary tickets being supplied as part of the event – to see Wayne Rooney play his 120th and final game for England.

Speaking after the event, Wesley McGrath, UCFB Class of 2017, and current MSc Football Coaching & Analysis student, commented: “The event was a really good opportunity to network with people and expand my contact base. It was also good to see some familiar people as well as meet new people too. And to be able to experience an England game was extra special.”

Danny Stroud, UCFB Class of 2014, Senior Client Services Manager at Beyond 90, said: “It was great to talk to UCFB graduates from Burnley, Wembley and the Etihad all in one place, from the Class of 2014 to the most recent Class of 2018. I found it really interesting to hear the different journeys and career paths that people have taken.”