SHOULD SOUTHGATE BE GIVEN THE FREEDOM OF THE BORO?

Should England manager Gareth Southgate be awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Middlesbrough?

That is the question currently being posed by an online poll on Middlesbrough Council's website.

Southgate has just led the England men's football team to their first final of a World Cup or European Championships in 55 years.

And despite narrowly losing the final on penalties to Italy the team have inspired the nation off the pitch as well as on it with their commitment to fighting racism and discrimination and promoting equality.

Southgate's link to Middlesbrough comes from his five years as a player for Boro and holds the unique position of being the first - and so far only - Boro captain to lift a trophy for the club and to lead them into European competition and the UEFA Cup final.

He was thought of so highly at the Boro that chairman Steve Gibson appointed him as manager of the team in 2006 upon his retirement as a player, a position he held for three years.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Gareth Southgate is someone who has stood out from his playing days. He was someone who shone with integrity with a level-headed passion and he united people.

"In the Euros he and his team have reached into the community like never before and were untied behind them, it was a great experience - we didn't win but it was a great experience.

"I'm really confident there will be a landslide amount of support for Gareth and also for the whole of the England team including those poor lads who missed the penalties who were brave as lions and stood up when they needed to.

"It didn't work out but they did incredibly well, everybody is behind them and we support them."

Earlier this week Middlesbrough Council accepted a motion from Central ward councillor Matthew Storey proposing giving Gareth Southgate the Freedom of the Borough of Middlesbrough.

The matter will be debated and voted on by councillors at the next full meeting of Middlesbrough Council. If the motion is approved by a majority then an extraordinary meeting of the council will be arranged to formally present the town's highest honour to the England manager.

Residents can give their opinion on whether Gareth Southgate should be granted the Freedom of the Borough of Middlesbrough by voting in the online poll at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/southgate

ENDS

Press Notice 6576. 14/07/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil