Don Revie's Leeds United legends react to Freedom of the City honour, celebrations tinged with sadness

The Revie Boys, who brought success after success to Leeds United between 1967 and 1974, were given the Freedom of the City in a ceremony at Leeds Civic Hall.

City councillors queued up to pay personal tributes to the United heroes and recollect the moments that made them fall in love with the football club.

Amid the standing ovations, toasts and a guard of honour, formed by city leaders, the nostalgia was tinged with sadness because some of those responsible for the club’s greatest era were not present.

“It’s quite sad there are people like the gaffer, who would have loved today, unfortunately not here,” said Norman Hunter, who made 540 Football League appearances for the Whites.

The World Cup winner said the honour bestowed upon his team-mates was a deserved one.

“To be honest I didn’t know much about the Freedom of the City but I looked it up it’s about people who have done good for the community and that applies to Leeds United and what we achieved for this city and for Yorkshire,” he said.

“To be part of that great team, it was absolutely awesome.