Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Gary Bennett set to receive Honorary Freedom of the City of Sunderland
Three footballing icons are to be given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Sunderland at an extraordinary council meeting at Sunderland City Hall today.
Jill Scott and Steph Houghton, both of whom represented the Lionesses at last summer’s European Championships triumph, will be rewarded for “the example of commitment and achievement [they] set in women’s sport, and as an ambassador for Sunderland and role model for young people.”
Gary Bennett, who has played a crucial role in anti-racism campaigns such as Show Racism The Red Card, will also have the honour bestowed upon him, “in recognition of the example of commitment and achievement he sets in combatting racism in football and as an ambassador for Sunderland and role model for young people.”
Sunderland City Council agreed to the honours at a meeting on 16 November 2022 and will convene on 8 March 2023 to formally grant the honours.
SportsByte will be attending and will cover the event, including some insight from the honourees if possible.
