Jimmy is a jolly good fellow...

THE popularity of manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink seems to have spread to very high places around Burton – he’s received an honorary fellowship from a local college.

The Dutchman was present at Burton and South Derbyshire College’s annual graduation ceremony on Friday, just 24 hours before his side hosted Port Vale at the Pirelli Stadium

“It is a great honour and something I will treasure alongside my achievements in football,” said Hasselbaink, 43. “It’s particularly special to me as when I was young I didn’t value education as much as I do now. I thought simply playing football was enough.

“Now I know that education is one of the most important things in life because that’s what allows us to grow as people and to achieve new goals.”

The former Chelsea striker has been in charge for just under a year at the Staffordshire club, guiding the Brewers to promotion to the third tier of English football last season.

Burton have picked up where they left off in May; currently riding high in the top six of League One after a stellar start to the 2015-16 campaign.