Gareth Southgate has been given the Freedom of Middlesbrough in recognition of leadership both on and off the football pitch.

Councillors decided to bestow the England manager with the rare honour, which is awarded to people who have “rendered eminent services to the borough,” according to the local authority website.

Southgate has been praised for taking the national team to the final of the Euros for the first time as well as his stance against racism.

But the 50-year-old also has a long history with Middlesbrough.

He was Boro captain when the club won its only trophy ever – the League Cup in 2004 – before he later became their manager.

He joins a small handful of Freedom of Middlesbrough recipients, which include the football club’s owner Steve Gibson, swimming coach Alma Collin, artist Mackenzie Thorp and several former councillors.

At a full council meeting this week, councillors agreed to hand Southgate the honour.

Their resolution said: “After some of the most difficult and tragic 18 months this country has faced, this England football team led by Gareth Southgate has given everyone some much needed hope and joy.

“In difficult times, Gareth Southgate has united England with his unifying presence, leadership and quiet charisma.

“As a former captain and manager of Middlesbrough Football Club, Gareth has a unique connection with our town.

“This council believes it is fitting to award him the Freedom of the Borough.”

Southgate, was born in Watford and grew up in West Sussex. He now lives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Related posts:

UK records another 110 coronavirus deaths and 5,294 new cases as over 24.8 million have had first vaccine dose Improving women’s safety needs more than ‘headline-grabbing quick fixes’ Queen marks what would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday with planting of rose Briton Mark Cavendish equals Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France all-time record number of stage wins Flying ants could swarm to Wembley after radar detects millions of bugs over London Sarah Everard: Location sharing and rape alarms among new precautions women take ‘I cried the whole day’: Chris Eubank Jr opens up about death of his brother Sebastian Man who claimed to be police officer and ‘arrest’ woman in car park is jailed Lateral flow tests set to replace PCRs for returning travellers by half-term Police launch appeal as two women sought after Rolex watch theft in Dorset – public urged to ‘remain vigilant’ ‘Rude and unprofessional’: Priti Patel and Sadiq Khan clash over Met Police chief’s departure Ban ‘culturally insensitive’ and ‘ridiculous’ court wigs, says black barrister