STEVEN Gerrard was last night given the highest honour his home town could bestow – the Freedom of Knowsley Borough.
Liverpool FC’s superstar captain and England regular, dressed in a grey suit, spoke with pride of his upbringing on Huyton’s Bluebell estate during the ceremony at Knowsley Council’s Huyton Suite.
The 28-year-old is only the fourth person to be granted the title of Honorary Freeman.
Speaking briefly at the ceremony, he said: “This is a very special honour for me and even more so as it is awarded so rarely, so I’d like to thank Knowsley Council.
“I’m very proud of the area that I grew up in and proud of the community I came from. Growing up on the streets of Huyton helped me get to where I am today.
“These are the family and friends who have been with me since I dreamt as a boy of being a professional footballer.”
Gerrard follows in the footsteps of former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who was the first to accept the honour in 1977.
Last night’s honour was the first in 20 years and it came in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to national and international football and his position as a role model to young people”.
Gerrard’s stellar career kicked off at Whiston Juniors, before being spotted by a Liverpool scout at age eight. This season he has notched up his 100th goal for the club and he is set to mark 10 years since his first team debut.
Leader of the Council Cllr Ron Round, said: “Steven is one of the greatest individual success stories to come out of Knowsley in recent years. Knowsley has a long and celebrated history of nurturing footballing talent and long may this continue.”
The high-profile crop of players from Huyton includes Everton legend Peter Reid, Craig Hignett and Tony Hibbert.
Neighbouring Kirkby has produced Phil Thompson, Alan Stubbs, Kevin Nolan and Terry McDermott, but Gerrard is the only player to have been granted such an honour.
At the ceremony, Gerrard and 120 guests were treated to the Knowsley Singers and Street Feet street dance group.
Gerrard made his Oath of Allegiance to Knowsley before signing the Roll of Honour.
At the end of the ceremony the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Michael Foulkes, presented the 28-year-old star with an Honorary Freeman Medallion and scroll.
Cllr Round said: “He is an excel-lent ambassador for Knowsley and a great role model. His story is one of talent, commitment and passion which has seen him grow into a world-class player.
“It sends a message out to young people everywhere that with hard work and persistence, they too can realise their dreams.”
He aimed his comments at the young footballers at the ceremony who acted as guard of honour.
Liverpool FC’s superstar captain and England regular, dressed in a grey suit, spoke with pride of his upbringing on Huyton’s Bluebell estate during the ceremony at Knowsley Council’s Huyton Suite.
The 28-year-old is only the fourth person to be granted the title of Honorary Freeman.
Speaking briefly at the ceremony, he said: “This is a very special honour for me and even more so as it is awarded so rarely, so I’d like to thank Knowsley Council.
“I’m very proud of the area that I grew up in and proud of the community I came from. Growing up on the streets of Huyton helped me get to where I am today.
“These are the family and friends who have been with me since I dreamt as a boy of being a professional footballer.”
Gerrard follows in the footsteps of former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who was the first to accept the honour in 1977.
Last night’s honour was the first in 20 years and it came in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to national and international football and his position as a role model to young people”.
Gerrard’s stellar career kicked off at Whiston Juniors, before being spotted by a Liverpool scout at age eight. This season he has notched up his 100th goal for the club and he is set to mark 10 years since his first team debut.
Leader of the Council Cllr Ron Round, said: “Steven is one of the greatest individual success stories to come out of Knowsley in recent years. Knowsley has a long and celebrated history of nurturing footballing talent and long may this continue.”
The high-profile crop of players from Huyton includes Everton legend Peter Reid, Craig Hignett and Tony Hibbert.
Neighbouring Kirkby has produced Phil Thompson, Alan Stubbs, Kevin Nolan and Terry McDermott, but Gerrard is the only player to have been granted such an honour.
At the ceremony, Gerrard and 120 guests were treated to the Knowsley Singers and Street Feet street dance group.
Gerrard made his Oath of Allegiance to Knowsley before signing the Roll of Honour.
At the end of the ceremony the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Michael Foulkes, presented the 28-year-old star with an Honorary Freeman Medallion and scroll.
Cllr Round said: “He is an excel-lent ambassador for Knowsley and a great role model. His story is one of talent, commitment and passion which has seen him grow into a world-class player.
“It sends a message out to young people everywhere that with hard work and persistence, they too can realise their dreams.”
He aimed his comments at the young footballers at the ceremony who acted as guard of honour.
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