Agenda item

To consider the granting of Freedom the Borough of Croydon to Donna Karen Fraser and Roy Hodgson in the following terms:

“That this Council does hereby confer upon Donna Karen Fraser, Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Croydon in recognition of her eminent service to sport both as a Representative of Great Britain at European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic Championships and as a sporting leader and ambassador, supporting the success of athletes in Croydon and across the UK. That the Common Seal be affixed to a copy of this Resolution.”

“That this Council does hereby confer upon Roy Hodgson, Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Croydon in recognition of his eminent service to sport with over 40 years of top flight football management experience including as manager of Crystal Palace Football Club, the Borough’s Premier League club, and the England national team. That the Common Seal be affixed to a copy of this Resolution.”

The recommendations from the Mayoralty and Honorary Freedom Selection Sub-Committee for granting the Freedom of the London Borough of Croydon were put forward to Members of the Council.

Madam Mayor, Councillor Bernadette Khan, invited Councillors Tony Newman, Leader of the Council, and Tim Pollard, Leader of the Conservative Group, to respectively move and second each of the Freedom of the Borough recommendations and to make a short speech in support of the recommendations.

In moving the recommendation for Mr Roy Hodgson to receive the Freedom of the Borough, Cllr Newman highlighted Mr Hodgson had been born and had grown-up in the borough but was better known for his success in managing high profile football teams. It was noted that very few could match his achievements. His leadership of Halmstads BK, Malmo FF, Inter Milan, Liverpool FC and the England national team was specifically highlighted. Under his management, England gained qualification to the 2014 World Cup to the pride of the nation. In 1999, Mr Hodgson had coached a World XI team in a match played to honour Nelson Mandela. Mr Hodgson was reunited with Croydon when he was employed by Crystal Palace Football club in 2017. He went on to lead the team to Premier League survival last season.  It was also noted that Mr Hodgson had brought integrity, dignity and passion to all of his roles at a time in the 1970s and 1980s when football did not always portray those values.

In his speech Councillor Tim Pollard shared that it was a pleasure to second the nomination in recognition of Mr Hodgson’s lifetime achievements in domestic and international football, and as a leading member of the Croydon community. Mr Hodgson’s return to Croydon and Crystal Palace Football Club was welcomed and his successful efforts in keeping the club in the Premiership would be remembered for many years to come. It was also noted that Mr Hodgson had been a teacher at Monks Hill Comprehensive School.

Councillor Newman went on to make a speech in moving the motion for Ms Donna Fraser to receive the Freedom of the Borough. He shared with Members of the Council that she had been born in Thornton Heath, and had a stunning record in domestic and European athletics as a 400m runner. She had represented the country at four successive Olympic Games, an achievement matched by very few.  It was highlighted that since retiring from athletics, Ms Fraser had continued to inspire and give hope to many. She had publicly battled breast cancer and had supported many cancer charities. Additionally, Ms Fraser had put much back into sport as UK Athletics’ Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead and then as the organisation’s Vice President.

Councillor Tim Pollard shared that it was a delight to second the nomination based on Ms Fraser’s achievements within the borough, in addition to her representation of the country on many occasions and given that she had won medals at many major championships.

Ms Fraser was recognised for being a role model not only in sporting achievements, but also in the way she had overcome injuries and other health issues to come back stronger. Her charitable work had inspired the whole of the community. Ms Fraser was noted as a worthy recipient of the borough’s highest civic honour.

Madam Mayor thanked Councillors Newman and Pollard for their remarks. The recommendation to award the Freedom of the Borough to Mr Roy Hodgson and Ms Donna Fraser was put to the vote and carried.

The Freedom of Borough was granted to Ms Donna Fraser and Mr Roy Hodgson. Both guests received their citation, an Honorary Freedom badge and a gift, which was presented by Madam Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Humayun Kabir.

Both recipients of the Freedom of the Borough were invited to make a speech in reply. 

In her speech Ms Donna Fraser highlighted to Members of the Council that her connection to the borough began when her parents had come to Croydon in the 1960’s and expressed that it was her upmost desire to give back to the borough. Ms Fraser gave her thanks to her sister, Jenny Fraser, who had taken her to the tracks at the Croydon Arena, and Mike Fleet, who had introduced her to athletics through the Croydon Harriers. She gave her thanks for being granted the Freedom of the Borough which she highlighted as a huge honour.

Upon receiving his award, Mr Roy Hodgson shared with Members of the Council that Croydon had played a massive part in his life; he had his first taste of coaching in Croydon. He highlighted that it was a great honour to be awarded the Freedom of the Borough and gave this thanks for being nominated. He had never dreamt that his journey in life would take him from walking to Selhurst Park with his father and sitting on the cross-bar at the Holmesdale Road end to managing the club he had always supported and being recognised by Croydon Council for his career in football. He dedicated his receipt of the Freedom of the Borough to his parents.