Date set for freedom of the city ceremony for Revie-era Leeds United players

An extraordinary council meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4 to recognise the “honour and distinction” brought to Leeds by the players’ outstanding sporting achievements.

It follows an announcement last month that the players would be honoured and coincides with the 100th anniversary of the club’s formation.

An agenda for the meeting was published on Leeds City Council’s website, which read: “That under and in pursuance of the powers conferred by Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the council admit Leeds United Football Club 1967-74 to be an Honorary Freeman of the City of Leeds in recognition and high appreciation of the honour and distinction brought to the City by the players’ outstanding sporting achievements and for their, and all the coaches and staff associated with the success in this period, lasting legacy to Leeds United Football Club and the City of Leeds.”

It added that, should a resolution be passed by two thirds of council members, a vote among councillors can take place to admit the team as honorary freemen.

The team, led by legendary manager Don Revie, won league titles in 1968 and 1974, an FA Cup in 1972 and a League Cup in 1968. The club also won the Inter Cities Fairs Cup (the forerunner to the UEFA Cup) in 1968 and 1971.

So what does freedom of the city mean?

Sadly, it doesn’t mean that you’re likely to see cattle owned by Peter Lorimer grazing in the middle of Briggate, as the title is now more symbolic than anything.

It dates back to early local authorities, and is the way in which a local authority can bestow honours on people who are significant visitors or important to the city.

Other people bestowed with the title include Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Alan Bennett.